TYRANT SHRIKE. 305 



America the plumage is deep ash-colour above, 

 with subferruginous wings and tail; the top of the 

 head black, as in the preceding, with a j^ellow 

 stripe, and the under parts white : the longitudinal 

 stripe on the head is in some individuals of a 

 bright orange, in others red, and in others yellow. 

 In New York, according to Mr. Pennant, this 

 species appears in April ; building in low bushes, 

 making its nest of wool and moss, lining it with 

 the small fibres of roots, and laying five white 

 eggs. In August it departs, and observes the 

 same time of migration in the other provinces. 

 Its singular manners are well described by Catesby, 

 whose slight irregularities of language must be 

 excused for the sake of the simple fidelity of his 

 descriptions. The courage of this little bird is 

 singular: he pursues and puts to flight all kinds 

 of birds that come near his station, from the 

 smallest to the largest, none escaping his fury; 

 nor did I ever see any that dared oppose him 

 while flying, for he does not offer to attack them 

 when sitting. I have seen one of them fix on the 

 back of an Eagle, and persecute him so, that he 

 has turned on his back into various postures in the 

 air, in order to get rid of him; and at last was 

 forced to alight on the top of the next tree, from 

 whence he dared not to move, till the little Tyrant 

 was tired or thought fit to leave him. This is the 

 constant practice of the cock while the hen is 

 brooding: he sits on the top of a bush or small 

 tree, not far from her nest ; near which if any 

 birds approach, he drives them away; but the 



