BIRD SONGS 63 



which it somewhat resembled, but with a 

 venomous touch of animosity. I never 

 heard anything more barbaric from the 

 throat of any bird, especially a ' song 

 bird ' ; and according to all reports this 

 was a fair exhibition of its musical ability." 

 What a sad injustice both these writers 

 have done the shrike. If Mr. Parkhurst 

 had scanned the pages of Nuttall he 

 would have found a glowing description 

 of his powers. Even the female has a 

 song. Here in Massachusetts in March 

 and early April, or even as early as Feb- 

 ruary, I have heard this " bloodthirsty 

 villain" pour forth a beautiful, though 

 disconnected song that would place him 

 among some of our best songsters. He 

 generally selects the top of some fairly 

 lofty tree from which to sing his melody ; 

 in fact the shrike spends much of his time 

 scanning the landscape from a convenient 

 tree top. It seems strange that a bird of 

 such tastes should be possessed of such a 

 truly fine song, but even if he is a mur- 

 derer, why should he not love at least a 

 female of his own kin and try to win 

 her with as much grace as many another 

 bird ? 



