118 



SUBKINGDOM VERTEBEATA. 



invaluable services, it helps itself somewhat freely to the 



smaller fruits, and hence 

 Mg. I9S. . , ' 



- IS most unwisely perse- 

 cuted.* 



Laniidae. — The 

 Shrike devours the larger 

 insects and smaller birds, 

 striking them senseless 

 by one blow upon the 

 head with its powerful 

 toothed beak. Its claws 



CoUvnoiorealis, Shrii.eoTBntcher-Vai. i. being feeble, it impales 



its victims upon thorns, often a number at a time on the 

 same bush, that it may eat them at its leisure. While dis- 

 membering, it cunningly stands upon the inner side, so as to 

 transfix them more completely. f 



Tanagridse. — The male Scarlet Tauager, in the third and 

 following years, has, with the exception of the jet-black 

 wings and tail, a fiery-red 

 plumage, in brilliant con- 

 trast with the green leaves 

 among which it flits. After 

 the August molting, and 

 during the first year, it is 

 not distinguishable, in its 

 greenish livery, from the 

 female, its gay summer 

 plumage being assumed on 

 re-entering our southern 

 borders in the spring. The 

 birds of this family feed 

 mainly upon the insects in the topmost branches of trees, 



* Often alighting side "by pide, the outer one of the Berics will pluck a cherry 

 within reach and pass it to the second, and he to the third, and so on to the etid, and 

 then back again to where it stai'ted, repeating: the raanceuvre several times, until, the 

 appetite whetted up, some one of the line will take a hite and spoil the fun. 



t In like manner it has heen observed, when in continement, to weave the body 

 of a mouse between the wires of the cage, that it might bear a heavier pull while being 

 torn in pieces. 



Fig. m. 



Pyranga ruhra^ Scarlet Tanager. 



