THE ENGLISH SPAIIUOW 



409 



Frc. oTS. — Nests of barn-swal- 

 low. Photo, by D. and S. 



boughs, and hollow trees, cliffs, and some species still retain 

 these habits. The best-known species are the l)ank-swallows, 



which, living in colonies, form 



numerous holes in railroad cuts 

 and sand-banks in general; the 

 white-l)ellicd swallow, abundant 

 about water ; and the barn-swal- 

 low (Fig. 377), with a chestnut 

 belly, which builds its nest in the 

 rafters of our ])arns (Fig. 378.) 



The waxwings are found over 

 the Northern Hemisphere. They 

 are migratory, go in flocks, feed on insects and fruits, and 

 chatter rather than sing. Our commonest species is called 

 " cedar-bird " (Fig. 379). 



The shrikes are of world-wide distribution. They are 

 vigorous, pugnacious birds, which have the habit of impaling 

 grasshoppers and other small animals upon thorns, and leav- 

 ing them there. In Germany there is a tradition that the 

 shrike daily impales nine victims, and it is hence commonly 

 called Neuntodter, or " ninekiller." The impaling seems to be 

 done chiefly in the winter time, and apparentlj' has for its pur- 

 pose the storing of food against possible famine. Among birds 

 frequently destroyed by them is the English sparrow, and it has 

 been suggested that the shrikes should he encourageil to live in 

 parks of cities infested bjr sparrow pests ; but unfortunately the 

 shrikes do not confine themselves to this intruder. We have 

 two species of shrikes, a northern (Fig. 380) and a southern. 



The vireos or greenlets are bright, handsome, and exclusively 

 American birds. The commonest species are the red-eyed 

 vireo (Fig. 381) and the yellow-throated vireo. 



