The White-rut?7ped Shrikes 
have never heard in the interior such a supreme of venom as the Island 
Shrike (L. 1 . anthonyi ) is able to inject into its exorcism. 
The California Shrikes are prolific and attentive breeders. In 
a large portion of their range first broods are brought off in early April, 
and another toward the end of May. Middle March records for fresh 
eggs are common; and there is one, by H. J. Lelande, 1 near Pasadena, 
for February 14. 
The nests are placed at moderate heights in small trees or bushes, 
or even, in extreme cases, on the ground. A sage bush or a clump of 
Taken in San Diego Photo by Dickey 
ALERT 
greasewood is a very acceptable support in certain regions, while isolated 
clumps of willow or cottonwood, in regions otherwise treeless, are almost 
sure to harbor a pair of Shrikes. 
The Shrike, being of a stock well intrenched in the North, is a 
builder of handsome and substantial nests. An example before me, 
1 Grinnell, Pub. 2, Pasadena Acad. Sci., 1898, p. 43. 
597 
