76 BIRDS OF THE WEST 



Why is it, do you think, that a bird like the shrike, that can 

 kill almost anything that flies, if it is not so very much bigger 

 than he is, that lays four eggs or more and builds his nest out of 

 reach of snakes, still remains a rare bird? It must have an 

 enemy somewhere. While in the country last summer I came 

 upon a shrike's nest and its four eggs were broken as though a 

 tiny biU had just tapped them. Can it be possible that the smaller 

 birds thus keep down their enemies? What a daring deed for a 

 little bird ! He was the David of his race. 



There is just one use to which this bird could be put. If 

 he would come to town and kill English sparrows, he would be 

 worth while, not that the killing of sparrows is to be especially 

 commended, but we can spare them best and they are like the Chi- 

 nese ; the loss of a few of them would not put the race in danger 

 of extermination. 



