GREAT CINEREOUS SHRIKE. 535 



This valiant little warrior possesses the faculty of imitating the notes 

 of other birds, especially such as are indicative of pain. Thus it will of- 

 ten mimic the cries of Sparrows and other small birds, so as to make you 

 believe you hear them screaming in the claws of a Hawk ; and I strongly 

 suspect this is done for the purpose of inducing others to come out from 

 their coverts to the rescue of their suffering brethren. On several occa- 

 sions I have seen it in the act of screaming in this manner, when it would 

 suddenly dart from its perch into a thicket, from which there would im- 

 mediately issue the real cries of a bird on which it had seized. On the 

 banks of the Mississippi, I saw one which for several days in succession 

 had regularly taken its stand on the top of a tall tree, where it from time 

 to time imitated the cries of the Swamp and Song Sparrows, and shortly 

 afterwards would pitch downwards like a Hawk, with is wings close to 

 its body, seldom failing in obtaining the object of its pursuit, which it 

 would sometimes follow even through the briars and brambles among 

 which it had sought refuge. When unable to secure the prey, it would 

 reascend to its perch, and emit loud and discordant notes of anger. 

 Whenever I could see it strike its victim, it appeared to alight on its 

 back, and instantly strike its head, which on such occasions I have several 

 times found torn open. If not disturbed, the Shrike would then tear up 

 the body, and swallow in large pieces, not well cleared of the feathers, 

 every part excepting the wings. It now and then pursues birds that are 

 on the wing to a considerable distance. Thus, I saw one follow a Turtle 

 Dove, which, on being nearly caught, pitched on the ground, where its 

 skull was bruised in a moment ; but the next instant both birds were in 

 my possession. 



The courage, activity, and perseverance of this species, are quite sur- 

 prising. In winter, when insects are scarce, and small birds rare in the 

 Eastern States, I have known it to enter the cities and attack birds in 

 cages. During my stay at Boston, several of them were brought to me, 

 that had been caught in the apartments in which cages containing canaries 

 were kept, and in every instance after the little favourite had been mas- 

 sacred. Near the same city I observed an individual poised on wing, in 

 the manner of our Sparrow Hawk, for several minutes at a time, over the 

 withered grass and sedges of salt water meadows, when it suddenly 

 pounced on some small bird concealed there. 



Although its feet are small and apparently weak, its claws are sharp, 

 and it is capable of inflicting a pretty severe wound on tlie finger or hand. 



