Lanius borealis. 
| Cambridge 
1893. 
Mar . 22 . 
I 
Mass . 
The Shrike (in the fields fteyond the reservoir) was 
perched on the top of a large hickory in the middle of the 
fields. Here it remained for 15 or 20 minutes singing x>retty 
steadily most of the time. The song resembled that of a young 
Mocking bird learning to sing. There seemed to be only three 
phrases each of which would be repeated many times in suc- 
phrase 
cession before the bird took up another. The favorite A was a 
liquid klllee which resembled one of the low, musical notes 
of the Blue Jay. This, as well as the other notes, although 
seemingly subdued in tone said far from loud, when I stood di- 
rectly beneath the bird carried .surprisingly. Indeed I heard 
the bird distinctly at a distance of over two hundred yards. 
I noticed that while singing he kept his head moving continu- 
ally, turning it from side to side aid sometimes directly be- 
hind so that his face was turned towards his tail like an 
Owl's. These movements said his alert expression suggested 
that there may be, after all, some truth in the theory that 
the song is intended to lure small birds from their coverts. 
Certainly this Shrike seemed to be on the watch for a victim 
but perhaps he was only combining business with pleasure, 
In the intervals of the song I heard him repeat, many 
times in quick succession, a low sound like the grating of 
teeth or still more like that of a Squirrel's teeth rasping 
