The Hawkcye 0. and O. 



THE NORTHERN SHRIKE, 



NEIL. F. POSSOM, MEDINA, N. V. 



Every winter, as sure as the last days of January or the . 

 first days of February come around, bringing with them'their 

 pleasant, sunshiny hours; almost so sure am I of a visit from 

 the Northern Shrike. 



In a certain suburb of our village, on the main street lead- 

 ing into the country toward the west, I am always sure of 

 finding a shrike, generally before January closes. This sub- 

 urb seems to be a favorite of L. Borcalis. 



In 1887, a pair of shrikes remained in this locality all 

 through January and long into February when I lost track of 

 them. In the preceding year and every year since, I have 

 noted them regularly. I have also noted them Nov. 1 1 and 

 Dec. 16, showing that they are here in the early part of the 

 winter, as well. 



The Northern Shrike is a very shy bird, not allowing one 

 to approach at all near, although by stealth, he may get com- 

 paratively close. 



Perched on the very topmost twig (as he always does) of 

 some tall tree by the roadside, giving vent to his peculiarly , 

 entertaining warble, on some bright, crisp morning; he is, 

 indeed a pleasant feature of our winter landscape. Most or- 

 nithological writers say but little about the notes of the 

 shrike; passing over them as unattractive and unimportant; 

 but to me, as I hear them from some tall tree-top of a win- 

 ter's morning the}- constitute a warble, which is, indeed 

 sweet, pleasing, and somewhat continued. 



But the most intere^tinj of his perform inces, is to watch 

 him, a; he pursues som 1 pugnacious sparrow, diving madly 

 at him and general!)- catching him and pecking out his 



