The White-rumped Shrikes 
taken from the heart of a clump of mistletoe in an oak tree near Shandon, 
has a generous foundation of criss-crossed twigs, chiefly oak. Within 
this is a matrix, or cup, of interwoven grasses and rootlets, compactly 
felted with fine vegetable substances of a dozen sorts,—frayed stems, 
flower-heads, pappus, inner bark of weeds teased to a silky fineness, 
and a few, a very few, feathers. The inner walls are at no point less 
than an inch in thickness and, I scarcely doubt, would hold water. The 
cup is three inches across by two and a half inches deep, while the nest 
measures externally some four and a half inches by ten. 
Another nest from the same section is made almost entirely of 
the macerated and frayed-out fibers of cottonwood bark, with a scanty 
lining of fine, black wool, obtained, apparently, from some old garment, 
or perhaps a felt hat. Its hollow is two and three-quarters inches deep 
by quite three and a half wide. 
The eggs, from five to seven in number, are pale bluish gray, or 
dull grayish white, as to ground, with a generous and nearly uniform spot¬ 
ting of yellowish brown and cold gray-brown. 
The parent birds are singularly indifferent, as a rule, to the welfare 
of a nest containing eggs alone. The female sits close, but once flushed, 
stands clinking in the distance, or else absents herself entirely. When the 
young are hatched, however, the old birds are sure to put up a spirited 
and deafening defense. The babies themselves are most engaging little 
fellows. Their confidence is easily won, and they are said to make 
excellent pets. 
No. 120c Island Shrike 
A. O. U. No. 622c. Lanius Iudovicianus anthonyi Mearns. 
Description. —Similar to L. 1 . gambeli, but gray of upperparts much darker 
(deep neutral gray); rump light bluish gray (not white); white of scapulars duller, or 
else invaded by light bluish gray; the white patch at base of primaries much reduced; 
and white of tail less extensive; the underparts darker—definitely dingy brownish gray, 
but not exhibiting so strong a tendency toward vermiculation. Size about as in gambeli. 
Nesting. —As in excubitorides. Av. of 36 eggs in M. C. O. colls: 24.4 x 18 (.96 x 
.71). Season: April. 
Range (Wholly contained within California).—Resident on the timbered 
members of the Santa Barbara Island group; hence, found on Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, 
Santa Catalina, San Clemente, and even Anacapa; but not on San Miguel or San 
Nicolas. 
Authorities.—Henshaw ( Collurio Iudovicianus var. excubitorides), Rep. Wheeler 
Surv., 1876, App. Hs, p. 237, in text (Santa Cruz Id., crit.); Mearns, Auk, vol. xv., 
1898, p. 261 (orig. desc.; Santa Cruz Id.); Howell, Pac. Coast Avifauna, no. 12, 1917, 
p. 88, part (Santa Cruz Id.; syn., habits, etc.). 
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