58 INSE8S0EES. 



from any other member of the group. The absence 

 of the long expansive tail, which adds so much grace 

 to the motions of other species, and its peculiarly 

 short, clumsy figure, are very apparent. It, however, 

 possesses in a very high degree the carnivorous and 

 rapacious propensities of its tribe, living mostly upon 

 frogs, lizards, and other reptiles. It appears to be 

 rather a scarce bird, and quite difficult to procure on 

 account of its shyness. Specimens are therefore sel- 

 dom seen in our cabinets. 



The Shrikes in many respects closely resemble the 

 Jays. With the exception of the head and bill, in 

 general form they are not unlike ; in manners and 

 habits they still more closely agree, and although 

 some naturalists have assigned them a place imme- 

 diately following the Hawks, in consequence of the 

 shape of the head, being broad and stout, and also 

 the hooked form of the bill, yet the other character- 

 istics by which the genera are determined are unques- 

 tionably in favor of their position being near the Crow 

 family. 



The Great American Shrike, or Butcher Bird, is 

 more than a match for the Blue Jay in cruel rapac- 

 ity. Its food consisting almost exclusively of large 

 insects, birds, and the smaller quadrupeds, it has 

 attained the reputation of being an expert hunter, 

 seizing upon its prey with great dexterity, much after 

 the manner of the Sparrow Hawk. It is said to pos- 

 sess the faculty of imitating the notes of other birds, 

 especially such as are indicative of distress, which it 

 does no doubt for the purpose of decoying thciu 



