28 
USEFUL lllRDS 
THE GREAT NORTHERN SHRIKE; BUTCHER BIRD. 
A misconception regarding this bird prevails among many, a 
mistake which is encouraged l)v its name and perhaps added to, 
unfortunately, l^y the illustrations frequently seen, showing the 
bird with a captured sparrow. It is true, however, that he kills 
sparrows and other small l)irds, a fact evidently fully appreciated 
by his intended victims, since a panic among them is caused by his 
appearance, but he atones for this by killing and devouring field 
mice, shrews, and injurious insects. It is to his credit, also, that 
he is a persistent enemy of the English sparrow — a bird respon- 
sible for many ills and now recognized as one means of dispersal 
of the much-dreaded San Jose scale- The great northern shrike 
is common in our fields until late fall, sometimes as late as De- 
cember in the latitude of Minneapolis, and even later in the south- 
ern part of the state, and recognized by his peculiar flight, close 
to the ground, by his size and coloration. He is about 10^ inches 
long, black, gray, and wdiite. At times, he is something of a song- 
ster. Amongst injurious insects captured, we might mention 
grasshop]:>ers and various caterpillars. 
