The Loggerhead Shrike ( Lanius ludovicianus ). — Dr* Elliot Cones has 
described so minutely the habits of the Laniidfe in his account of ‘Shrikes 
in a State of Nature’ (Birds of the Colorado Valley, Part I, 1S78), that 
very little is left in the history of the Shrikes for other observers to record. 
However, an unusual incident (to me) in the nidificatlon of Lanins ludo- 
vicianus came under ray observation last spring, which 1 trust will be of 
interest enough to ornithologists to warrant a place in ‘The Auk.’ On May 
19I discovered the nest of this Shrike upon the central fork of a thorn tree, 
and almost within reach from the ground. As the nest contained only one 
egg, I did not then take il, but returned seven days later to find that two 
more eggs had been laid. As I wanted a specimen, I shot the bird as it 
arose from the nest, and it proved on dissection to be a female. 1 tried 
in vain to obtain the male, but he kept beyond range, appearing much 
excited and uttering constantly a peculiar note, similar to the sound pro- 
duced by blowing through a pea-whistle. Six days later, 1 found a new 
and completed nest on the tree next to that which had held the one I took, 
and as I stood looking at it, a pair of Loggerhead Shrikes flew close up 
to it. While watching them I wondered whether the male of the first 
nest could have procured another mate and built a nest in such a short 
time. Of course I could not solve this point, as I had nothing to identify 
the bird by; but I have since been informed by Mr. Chamberlain of St. 
John, N. B.. that he had witnessed something similar, and was enabled to 
identify his bird by its having only one eye. i therefore think it fair to 
presume that the male of the first nest I obtained did arrange his second 
matrimonial venture within the six days. On discovering these nests I 
expected to find the ‘Shrike’s larder,’ but after examining all of the thorn 
trees and bushes in the vicinity, I found not a single bird or insect 
impaled on any of them. — Ernest D. Winti.e, Montreal. 
Atfck, I, April, 1884. p. /*?3 
