49 
tioned of the Shrikes), continue with the 
old ones till the next pairing time; they 
then choose each its mate, and separate, 
in order to produce a new progeny. The 
old birds, when enticing- their fledg-ed 
young to follow them, make a noise like 
the mewing of a Cat. Its common notes 
are various, but harsh. Montagu says that 
in the spring it will sometimes, "utter a 
sort of song in a soft and pleasing manner, 
but so low as not to be heard at any 
distance; and at intervals introduce the 
bleating of a lamb, mewing of a cat, the 
note of a kite or buzzard, hooting of an 
owl, and even the neighing of a horse. 
These imitations are so exact even in a 
natural wild state, that we have frequently 
been deceived. " It will also make a sin- 
gular noise, somewhat like the crying of 
children. 
In general they feed on acorns, nuts, 
seeds, and fruits of all kinds; but will 
sometimes destroy young chickens and 
eggs, and will also take away birds that 
have been caught in a trap or entangled 
in bird-lime. It is a restless and noisy 
H 
