156 S H R I K E'. 



thefe birds among; the Pica. Kramer is inclined to have th 



Laniuj genus ranked with theP/i?.f *, though in his work it is put' 

 with the Chatterers, in the P'ajferine order ; but Scopoli f places it 

 with the Pies without ceremony, having no doubt about the mat- 

 ter. Mr. Pennant, in hie firft edition of the Genera of Birds, fuffers if 

 to ftand laft in the Accipitrine order, but remarks its affinity with' 

 the Pies J ; and in his laft edition of the Br. Zoology, as well as Ge- 

 nera of Birds, begins the order of Pies with it. This example we 

 fhall follow here, without hefitation, being convinced that it is the 

 moft natural method, the reafons given by authors who have 

 formed a contrary opinion not being fufficient to make us think, 

 otherwife. For fhould we retain the Shrikes in the firft order, on 

 account of their principally feeding on animal food, do not the- 

 whole of Ibrne other genera do the fame \\ ? If we dwell on the 

 fhape and curvature of the bill§, how will this fquare with the 

 Parrot kind, whofe natural food is fruit ? and in reipeel to then- 

 living on other birds, whenever opportunity offers, do not feveral. 

 of the Crow genus do the like; not only feeding on flefh, but fre- 

 quently purfuing and deftroying fmall birds ? Thave feenaM^z> 

 give chace to a Thruflo, and after pouncing him, feafted on his- 

 flefh j and "as. to -thefe birds deftroying young ducks and chickens,, 

 every country houfewife is affured of the fact. The greater Til- 

 moufe alfoj. in this, fenfe, maybe truly called a. bird of prey,, as it; 



* " Nee meo judicio erraret, qui eafdem Corvis annumeraret." Kr-am. Elei$». 

 Aujir. p. 364. 



t Ann. Hiji. Nat. i. p. 23.. 



% Mr. Ed-wards mentioned the fame in his Hiji. of Birds, vol. ii. p. 56- 



[| Kingfijher, Woodpecker , Hoopoe, Wryneck, Sec. 



§ Kramer has placed the Parrot with his Accipitres, I Ihould think, on account 

 ©f this circumftance ; it could be on no other.. Elen. Aujir. p. 33 z. 



frequently 



