Cambridge, Massachusetts.
1900.
December.
(16)
than two-thirds of an ordinary pea for they would
soon dry up into minute particles.
  Once the Shrike, returning from one of these flights
which were never more than two minutes long, and generally
under a minute, perched on the top of the elm in the drive-
way, and gave vent to a series of cat-like whines doubtless
expressive of satisfaction after his dainty meal. Once the
near approach of a Gray Squirrel frightened him off for a
minute. At last ten minutes having elapsed after one of his
flights we decided that he had finished his meal, and we vis-
ited more closely the spot. One wing of the Sparrow was
stripped bare to the bone. I intended to examine the bird
later to see just how much was gone, but two hours afterwards
on visiting the spot we found that the Shrike had removed the
remains of his feast to another locality. We found nothing
but the head of the bird on the ground beneath.
  Whether the Shrike used his feet at all when attacking
the Sparrow we were unable to say. Once when the bird was in
the lilacs and just before he put the Sparrow in the second
crotch I saw him lay the bird on a branch and hold him there
a short time with one foot, loosening his hold on him with
his bill entirely.
  During all this period and till late in the afternoon
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