SHRIKES 



(621) Lanius borealis Vieill. 



(Lat., a batcher; northern). 



NORTHERN SHRIKE; 

 BUTCHER-BIRD. Lores and nasal 

 tufts never wholly black. Ads. — 

 Plumage as shown, the se.xes being 

 similar but the $ a little duller plum- 

 aged. Sides of head, wings and tail 

 blackish; outer tail feathers white- 

 ended; white patch at base of pri- 

 maries; lores grayish-black; under 

 parts dull whitish, barred or undu- 

 lated with grayish. Im. — Markings 

 similar but plumage largely washed 

 with brownish. L., 9.75; W., 4.65; 

 T., 4.70; B., .75; Tar., .90. Nest — 

 A bulky structure of twigs and weeds, 

 lined with feathers; in thickets. 



Range — Breeds in the greater part 

 of Canada; winters in the northern 

 half of the U. S. 



CEDAR WAXWINGS are well known, often as Cherry 

 Birds, throughout the temperate parts of our continent. 

 Many of them remain in our Northern States during the 

 winter. Although they are not gregarious to the extent of 

 nesting close to one another, small flocks of them can be 

 found feeding together at all seasons. They devour a great 

 many worms and caterpillars, and often dart out into the air 

 after passing insects, as flycatchers do; they also eat many 

 berries, especially cherries, either wild or cultivated. Silence 

 is sometimes a virtue, but Cedar Waxwings carry it to 

 extremes. Their only note is a weak lisping "tsee. " As 

 they are not capable of making a noisy demonstration when 

 their homes are disturbed, they simply sit among the branches 

 higher up and make no sound at all. They nest later than 

 most species, usually not commencing the construction of 

 their homes until the latter part of June. The nests are 

 made of twigs, weeds, grass, and moss and can frequently be 

 found in orchard trees. 



349 



