SHRIKES 181 



builds its nest on the branch of a tree, while the Pied 

 Flycatcher makes use of the hollows in trees. 



Shrikes 



The Flycatchers are comparatively feeble birds, but 

 their near relatives, the Shrikes, or Butcher-birds, are 

 much more formidable. They are considerably 

 larger, and are distinguished by their almost Hawk- 

 like beaks, which are used to tear living prey, such as 

 smaller birds, mice, and so on. Although numbering 

 about two hundred species, these are mostly confined 

 to the Old World, only two being native to America. 



The first of these is the Northern Shrike, a rather 

 large bird, measuring over ten inches in length, grey 

 upon the upper parts, with black wings and tail, 

 marked with white. The bill is powerful and hooked 

 like that of a Hawk. This bird has a characteristic 

 straightforward flight, flying close to the ground with 

 much flapping of the wings, and rising suddenly 

 upward to perch. 



The Northern Shrike breeds in the far north, 

 migrating southward in winter. Its nest of twigs and 

 grass is usually placed in low trees or bushes. The 

 Great Grey Shrike of Europe closely corresponds to 

 this species. See Plate 10, Fig. 46. 



All the birds of this family have the curious habit 

 of killing and impaling their prey on thorns and 

 twigs, presumably for future use. It is on this 

 account they have received the name Butcher-birds. 

 The English name, Flesher, comes from an old 

 English word for butcher. Preying as it does upon 



