74 



GREAT AMERICAN SHRIKE, OR BUTCHER-BIRD. 



LAJVJUS EXCUBITORf 

 [Plate v.— Fig. 1.] 



La Pie griesche grise, De Buffon I, 296. PL enl. 445. — Pe ale's Museum, JVo. 664.-—' 

 TFhite Whisky-John, Phil. Trans, v. LXII, 386.— ZooL v. II, No. 127. 



THE form and countenance of this bird bespeak him full of 

 courage and energy; and his true character does not belie his ap- 

 pearance, for he possesses these qualities in a very eminent degree. 

 He is represented on the plate rather less than his true size; but 

 in just proportion; and with a fidelity that will enable the Euro- 

 pean naturalist to determine, whether this be really the same with 

 the great cinereous Shrike (Lanius Excubitor, Linn.) of the eastern 

 continent or not; tho the progressive variableness of the plumage, 

 passing, according to age, and sometimes to climate, from ferrugi- 

 nous to pale ash, and even to a bluish white, renders it impossible 

 that this should be an exact representation of every individual. 



This species is by no means numerous in the lower parts of 

 Pennsylvania; tho most so during the months of November, De- 

 cember and March. Soon after this it retires to the north, and to 

 the higher inland parts of the country to breed. It frequents the 

 deepest forests; builds a large and compact nest in the upright fork 

 of a small tree ; composed outwardly of dry grass, and whitish 

 moss, and warmly lined within with feathers. The female lays six 

 eggs, of a pale cinereous color, thickly marked at the greater end 

 with spots and streaks of rufous. She sits fifteen days. The young 

 are produced early in June, sometimes towards the latter end of 

 May; and during the greater part of the first season are of a brown 

 ferruginous color on the back. 



