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FAMILY — LANIIDAE. SHRIKES. BUTCHER-BIRDS 
General Description. The Shrikes are medium-sized Passerine birds of raptorial 
nature. They are easily recognized by their bills which are plainly hooked and furnished 
with a notch and tooth at the tip of the upper mandible (Figure 276). The two species 
which occur in Canada are very similar in coloration and 
differ in minor characters only (Plate LXVI A). 
The Shrikes are interesting examples of Pas- 
serine or seed and insect-eating birds adapted 
for a predatory life. The true Raptores, the 
Hawks, etc., which also prey upon the higher 
living forms, have powerful feet with which to 
secure their food and hold it while they tear it 
with their bills. The Shrikes are without these 
efficient grasping and holding members, having 
in fact feet scarcely stronger than those of a 
Sparrow or Blackbird of equal size. They, therefore, seize prey with their 
bill and, to hold it while feeding, have evolved the habit of impaling it 
upon strong thorns, etc. ; this habit gives them the popular title of Butcher- 
birds. Shrikes are bold and spirited and quite as daring and capable in 
proportion to their size as any of the true Birds of Prey. The family is 
large and widely distributed. Only one genus is represented in America 
and two species in North America. 
Figure 276 
Shrike (Loggerhead); natural 
size. 
621. Northern Shrike, butcher-bird. Lanins borealis. L, 10-32. Nearly as 
large as a Robin. Almost identical in coloration with the Loggerhead Shrike (See Plate 
LXVI A), but considerably larger and with a series of well-defined, fine, wavy lines or 
vermiculations across most of the underparts. Juveniles overwashed with rusty. 
Distinctions. General coloration and notched bill (Figure 276) will distinguish it 
as a Shrike. Size, distinct vermiculation below, and late autumn or winter season of 
occurrence in the regularly settled parts of Canada will characterize it as the Northern. 
Field Marks. The sharply contrasted black and white wings, grey back, and black 
bar through eye will give easy recognition to either of our Shrikes. Size, vermiculated 
breast, and late autumn or winter occurrence as above will designate this species. 
Nesting. In low trees or bushes, nest of twigs, grasses, etc. 
Distribvlion. Northern North America, breeding in the west from Great Slave lake 
northward and into Alaska. There is great confusion in the older breeding records between 
the two species of Shrikes. None of the more southern nesting reports of this bird has 
ever been satisfactorily substantiated. Great caution should be used in identifying before 
reporting it in southern latitudes in summer. 
The Northern Shrike is the bolder and more energetic of our two species. 
It is a northern breeder and is seen only in cultivated sections in the winter 
where it follows tne flocks of Snow Buntings, Redpolls, etc. It has shown 
some tendency to come into cities and villages in pursuit of the House or 
English Sparrow, in which work it is to be encouraged in every way. Dry, 
mummied mice and birds occasionally found pinned to thorns and barbs 
of wire fences or hanging from the close forks of twigs are usually the 
remains of victims of this species. Rather surprisingly, it exhibits con- 
siderable musical ability even in winter. 
Economic Status. Though thoroughly raptorial in habit the Northern 
Shrike cannot be said to do a great amount of damage. It is not common 
enough within settlement to be a serious factor in the small bird life of the 
fields. It catches numbers of mice and probably its attacks on them and 
on the House or English Sparrow compensate for the seed-eating birds it 
takes. 
