344 LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE. 



LOGGERHEAD SHEIKE. {Lanius Carolinensis.) 



PLATE XXII. -Fig. 5. 



PeaWs Museum, No. 557. 



LANIUS LUDOVICIAJYUS.—Bokafarte. 



Lanius Ludovicianus, Bonap. Synop. p. 72. — The Loggerhead Shrike, Aud. pi. 57, 

 male and female, Orn. Biog. i. p. 300. 



This species has a considerable resemblance to the great 

 American shrike.* It differs, however, from that bird in size, 

 being a full inch shorter, and in colour, being much darker 

 on the upper parts, and in having the frontlet black. It also 

 inhabits the warmer parts of the United States, while the 

 great American shrike is chiefly confined to the northern 

 regions, and seldom extends to the south of Virginia. 



This species inhabits the rice plantations of Carolina and 

 Georgia, where it is protected for its usefulness in destroy- 

 ing mice. It sits for hours together on the fence beside the 

 stacks of lice, watching like a cat ; and as soon as it perceives 

 a mouse, darts on it like a hawk. It also feeds on crickets 

 and grasshoppers. Its note in March resembles the clear 

 creaking of a signboard in windy weather. It builds its nest, 

 as I was informed, geuerally in a detached bush, much like 

 that of the mocking bird ; but as the spring was not then 

 sufficiently advanced, I had no opportunity of seeing its eggs. 

 It is generally known by the name of the Loggerhead.f 



* See Plate Y. fig. 1. 



t In the remarks on the Tyrannince, I observed that only two of the 

 sub-families of the greater division Laniadce existed in North America, 

 — that now alluded to, and the Laniance, of which our present species, 

 with the L. borealis of a former plate, and that of Europe, will form 

 typical examples. Ornithologists have always been at variance with 

 regard to the position of these birds, and have placed them alike with 

 the rapacious falcons and timid thrushes. They are, however, the 

 " falcons of the insect world ; " and among the Insessores will be the 

 representatives of that group. 



America was seen to be the great country of the Tyrannince ; in like 



