r 
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I 
96 WILD SCENES AND SONG-BIRDS. 
has from this fact gained for itself the very general and pop- 
ular sobriquet of " rock robin" throughout the South, West 
and North. 
Wilson also remarks of the extent of the peregrinations of 
this species that, "In the Arctic Zoology, we are told that 
this species is frequent in Russia, but does not extend to 
Siberia ; yet one was taken Avithin Bhering's Straits, on the 
Asiatic side, in lat. 66^ ; and the species probably extends 
over the whole continent of North America, from the West- 
ern Ocean. Mr. Bell, while on his travels through Russia, 
had one of these birds given him, which he kept in a room, 
having fixed up a sharpened stick for him in the wall ; and 
on turning small birds loose into the room, the butcher bird 
instantly caught them by the throat in such a manner as soon 
to suffocate them, and then stuck them on the stick, pulling 
them on with bill and claws ; and so served as many as were 
turned loose, one after another, on the same stick." 
In relation to the habits of the two species I would beg to 
differ from the absolute adjurations on the part of both Au- 
dubon and Wilson upon this subject, as I have seen both 
varieties in Kentucky and on the Mississippi, far above the 
mouth of the Ohio, though we will give in conclusion what 
Wilson says in reference to the loggerhead — 
" 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 color, 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 destroying 
mice. It sits, for hours together, on the fence, beside the 
stacks of rice, 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 
L 
