Birds of Massachusetts. 111 
They generally build, in the orchard, a carelessly 
constructed nest, of coarse grass lined with fine. 
The eggs are about four, of a purplish white, mark- 
ed with black spots, larger toward the great end. 
The young are fed at first on insects, and after- 
wards on fruit. The parental affection of the old 
birds is not exemplary, since, if the nest is approach- 
ed, their impulse is to take particular care of them- 
selves. Gentleness, however, is the uniform charac- 
teristic of this bird. It comes to us in the begin- 
ning of April, and remains till late, being a north- 
ern bird, and capable of enduring cold. 
The Waxen Cuatrerer, Bombycilla garrula, is 
a bird hitherto supposed to be unknown in Massa- 
chusetts; but I learn from Dr. Brewer, that an indi- 
vidual of this species was pursued in this State by 
the younger Mr. Audubon, who is familiar with 
birds of all descriptions. It must therefore be set 
down as a visiter in our State, though probably 
accidental. 
J— INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. 
The Great Amertcan Surie, Lanius septen- 
trionalis, is commonly called the Butcher bird, from 
its habit of destroying other birds. It pursues them 
with a vigor from which they cannot escape, and 
strikes at them, even when kept in cages and under 
the protection of man. _ There have been many cases 
