182 BIRDS OF THE WORLD 



many harmful insects and mammals, and especially 

 upon the noxious English Sparrow, ornithologists 

 declare that this bird well deserves to be protected. 



The Red-backed Shrike is another common Euro- 

 pean species. See Plate 10, Fig. 45. 



The Loggerhead Shrike is a smaller form than the 

 northern species, but closely resembles it in colouring. 

 This bird does not fly forth in search of prey, but, Hke 

 the Flycatchers, perches and waits for it to come 

 within view. Its power of sight is remarkably keen, 

 and the grasshoppers, small snakes, and lizards upon 

 which it chiefly feeds are detected at long distances. 

 This bird also often impales its victims on thorns, 

 capturing more than it can devour at one time. The 

 Loggerhead's notes are harsh and guttural, unlike 

 those of the Northern Shrike, some of whose notes are 

 very musical. 



Titmice 



The Titmice are small birds, of rather pugnacious 

 disposition, and commonly known in this covmtry as 

 Chickadees. It is a moot point among ornithologists 

 as to whether or not they are related to the Shrike 

 family. These little birds feed largely on the eggs and 

 larvse of insects that are injurious to trees, and so are 

 of great benefit to man. They have short, stout bills, 

 and the nostrils are concealed by bristles. 



A common English species is the Blue Tit, a 

 courageous little bird, especially during the time that 

 it is sitting on its eggs. The nest is usually made in 

 the hole of a tree-trunk, sometimes in deserted Wood- 

 peckers' holes, from which intruding fingers are often 



