ORDER 11. PIC^. PIES. 
GENUS 4. LANIUS. SHRIKE. 
SPECIES 1. LANIUS EXCUBITOR?^ 
GREAT AMERICAN SHRIKE, OR BUTCHER-BIRD. 
[Plate V. — Fig. 1.] 
La Pie-grihhe grise, Buff, i, 296. FI. enl, 445. — White Whisky - 
John, Phil. Trans, v. lxii, p. 386. — Jlrct. Zool. v. ii, J^o. 127. 
— Peale’s Museum, A'*o. 664. 
The form and countenance of this bird bespeak him full of 
courage and energy; and his true character does not belie his 
appearance, for he possesses these qualities in a very eminent 
degree. He is represented in the plate rather less than his true 
size; but in just proportion; and with a fidelity that will enable 
the European naturalist to determine, whether this be really 
the same with the great Cinereous Shrike, [Lanim excubi- 
tor, Linn. ) of the eastern continent or not; though the progres- 
sive variableness of the plumage, passing, according to age, and 
sometimes to climate, from ferruginous 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; though most so during the months of November, 
December and March. Soon after this it retires to the north, 
and to the higher inland parts of the country to breed. It fre- 
quents 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 feath- 
* Lanius septentrionalis, Gmel. 
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