THE LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE. 
137 
Crow and even the Buzzard, that approach his nest, and invariably driving 
these intruders away. Indeed I consider these birds as evidencing great 
attachment toward each other. 
“ I have usually found the nest on the outer limbs of a tree, frequently 
the live-oak, sometimes the black-gum ( Liquidambar styraciflua), and often 
on a cedar, from fifteen to thirty feet from the ground. Once only I saw it 
lower, on the toothache bush, Xanthoxylum, about ten feet high. 
“ I have occasionally seen this bird with young mice in its mouth, and 
have found it feeding on birds that had apparently been wounded by the 
sportsman. It sometimes catches young birds and devours them ; but I am 
induced to think, from the observation of many years, that the food of the 
Loggerhead Shrike consists principally of insects. Grasshoppers and 
crickets are preferred ; coleopterous and other insects are also frequently 
seized ; and I have seen it catch moths and butterflies on wing. This bird 
has the same propensity as the Northern Shrike, to stick grasshoppers and 
other insects on thorns. I have seen one occupy himself for hours in stick- 
ing up in this way a number of small fishes that the fishermen had thrown 
on the shore ; but I never found either this or the Northern Shrike return 
to seek this prey for food at any other time ; but on the contrary, the fishes 
dried up and decayed. I have seen them alight on the same thorn-bush 
afterwards, but never make use of this kind of food. May it not be the 
same propensity which Jays have, who conceal nuts and grain, and appa- 
rently do not return to devour them ? 
“ The Loggerhead Shrike is partially migratory in Carolina. A few 
may be found through the winter ; but the number is ten times greater in 
summer ; and such is also the case with the Mocking-bird. It appears fond 
of the little changeable Green Lizard (, Anolius Carolinensis, Cuv.), and I 
have seen exertions of skill and activity on the one part in seizing, and on 
the other in avoiding their enemy, but the reptile, in spite of all its agility, 
is frequently secured. On one occasion I had marked a lizard of this species 
on a fence. It was then beautifully green ; but on being chased by a Shrike, 
which observing me flew off, I found that it had become quite brown. 
“ This species breeds twice in a season, lays four and sometimes five white 
eggs. Occasionally it feeds on the small black berries of a species of Smilax ; 
this is in winter, when it is probably pinched for food. I have noticed it 
building its nest in the same tree for a succession of years, never repairing 
an old nest but always building a new one.” 
According to Mr. Swainson this species is found on the table-land of 
Mexico, where it is very common. 
I have given you, kind reader, the representation of a pair of these 
Shrikes, contending for a mouse. The difference of plumage in the sexes is 
Yol. IY. 19 
