86 SHRIKES 



common in summer. Glen Ellyn, S. R., Jan. 21-Sept. 24; 

 occasional W. V. SB. Minn., common S. R., Feb. 25-Sept. 28. 



A Waxwing's crest is as expressive as a horse's ears. 

 One moment it points skyward the next it flattens and dis- 

 appears. They are as sociable as "Love Birds," traveling 

 in small flocks which, like one bird, dive into a tree and 

 perch so close together that often several will be almost 

 touching, and with common accord they take wing. They 

 feed mainly on small fruit both wild and cultivated but are 

 also expert flycatchers. They nest in June, usually in 

 shade or fruit trees, building a well-made nest for the 

 beautiful, clay-colored, black-spotted eggs. 



SHRIKES. FAMILY LANIID^ 



NORTHERN SHRIKE 

 Lanius borealis. Case 2, Fig. 56 



Larger than the Migrant and Loggerhead Shrikes with a gray- 

 ish, not black, forehead and a lightly barred, not plain white 

 breast. L. ioj. 



Range. Nests in Canada, winters south to Texas and Virginia. 



Washington, rare and irregular W. V., Oct.-Peb. Ossining, 

 tolerably common W. V„ Oct. 26— Apl. 17. Cambridge, common 

 W. V., Nov. i-Apl. 1. N. Ohio, not common W. V., Nov. 6- 

 Apl. 3. Glen Ellyn, not common W. V., Oct. 24-June 5. SE. 

 Minn., common W. V., Oct. 17-Mch. 28. 



A grim, gray bird that comes out of the far North in the 

 fall. His mission is death to birds and mice and he makes 

 no attempt to disguise it but boldly advertises his presence 

 by perching where he may be seen as well as see. Mice he 

 can plunge on, but Sparrows, Siskins or Redpolls he may 

 have to pursue on the wing, following every twist and turn 

 until he reaches striking distance. Slowly he bears his 

 victim, in his feet, to some tree there to hang it on thorn 

 or in crotch from which it may be devoured at leisure. 

 An executioner by birth, the Shrike or "Butcher Bird" 



