416 



JfESTS AND EGGS OF 



621. Phrikk (After Audubon). 



Ohio. Its habits are essentially the same as those of the Northern Shrike and are not 

 less savage and blood-thirsty. The construction of the nest is begun in Ohio as 

 early as the middle of April, and frequently at this time the birds are sitting on the 

 full complement of eggs. The nesting season, however, is in the month of June, 

 and a second brood is reared some weeks later. The full complement of eggs is six. 

 The nest is built in hedges, scrubby, isolated little trees in cultivated fields, thorn 

 trees growing along streams or roadsides; thickets along railroads are favorite re- 

 sorts, and the telegraph wire is their favorite perch. The nest is large, loose and 

 bulky, composed of weed-stems, grasses, corn-stalks, rootlets, paper, wool, and 

 chicken feathers (the latter being the lining; It is often very thick), the feathers 

 concealing the eggs from view. The eggs are identical with those of torealls, but 

 average smaller, .97x.73. Eleven eggs measure, .91x.72, .92x.70, .92x.73, .95x.76, 

 .98X.79, l.OOx.78, .99x.77, 1.02X.80, l.OOx.82, .96x.79, .98x.72. 



622a. WHITE-RUMPBD SHBIKE. Lanius ludovicianus excubitoridea 

 (Swains.) Geog. Dist. — Western North America, from the eastern border of the 

 Plains to the Pacific, except coast of California, and from Manitoba and the Plains to 

 the Saskatchewan south over the table lands of Mexico. 



More recent investigations develop the fact that this bird, once described as a 

 western form, has extended its range eastward, north of that of ludovieianus. It 

 breeds nearly throughout its entire range. In Western Manitoba, according to Mr. 

 Thompson, it is abundant all over from May to September. The late Colonel N. S. 

 Goss records it as a common summer residei;Lt of Kansas; begins laying early In 



