484 



CLASS AVES. 



summer, but on the appearance of winter will approach the 

 habitations of man. It constructs its nest in the embranch- 

 ments and furcations of lofty trees in solitary forests, and 

 sometimes in thick and thorny hedges. This is composed of hay 

 without, of small fibrous roots and moss interlaced together ; 

 and the small branches of neighbouring trees are introduced, 

 and twisted to form its seat and basis. The interior is pro- 

 fusely furnished with feathers, down, and wool. The female 

 lays from four to six eggs of a grayish white, spotted with pale 

 green olive, and ash-colour. The young are born naked, and 

 are never covered with down. 



The parents evince the greatest tenderness for their offspring, 

 tending them carefully during the entire period of infancy, 

 and never quitting them until spring. These birds are seen 

 to fly during the autumn and winter in small flocks, each com- 

 posed of a single family. These companies never unite toge- 

 ther. This sort of family division renders the shrikes easily 

 cognizable at a distance. They are also distinguished by a 

 piercing cry which may be thus expressed troui, troui, which 

 may be heard very far off", and which they repeat incessantly, 

 perched on the summit of trees or flying. Their mode of ilying 

 is peculiar. It is neither oblique, nor horizontal at the same 

 elevation, but continually up and down, by successive springs 

 and undulations. They are always seen perched on the extre- 

 mity of the most lofty and isolated branches of trees and 

 thickets, a position which their peculiar mode of chase seems 

 to require; for, as they fly with difiiculty, and always drop 

 perpendicularly on their prey, they thus secure an elevated 

 situation for that purpose which they could not obtain by at- 

 tempting to rise from the ground. Dropping thus upon their 

 victim, they force it to the earth, where it is instantly seized 

 and torn in pieces. In this manner the Cinereous Shrike 

 catches small birds, field-mice, and other little quadrupeds. 

 The destruction of these last is an advantage to the farmer, 

 and accordingly we find in many countries this bird is spared 

 and regarded, from this circumstance, and also because it 



