SHRIKES 
339 
efforts. Besides, the entire community is deprived of the valuable assist- 
ance of a number of species in order that a certain amount of early fruit 
may be protected for a few individuals. As the birds prefer wild to culti- 
vated fruit, early ripening wild fruit trees in waste corners and along fences 
provide inexpensive protection. The Russian mulberry, serviceberry, and 
bush honeysuckle and, later, the black currant, mountain-ash, raspberries 
and blackberries, sumach, alder, wild grape, bittersweet, nightshade, 
snowberry, and elders, according to the fruit possibilities of the locality, 
will serve the purpose. 
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 422). The two species which 
occur in Canada are very similar in coloration and differ 
in minor characters only (Plate LXI B). 
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 422 
Shrike (Loggerhead); natural 
size. 
621. Northern Shrike, butcher-bird. la pie-grieche boreale. Lanins 
borealis. L, 10-32. Nearly as large as a robin. Almost identical in coloration with the 
Common Shrike (See Plate LXI B), but considerably larger and with a series of well- 
defined, fine, wavy lines or vermiculations across most of the underparts. Juveniles over- 
washed with rusty. 
Distinctions. General coloration and notched bill (Figure 422) 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 of either of our shrikes. Size, vermiculated 
breast, and late autumn or whiter occurrence as above will designate this species. 
Nesting. In low trees or bushes, nest of twigs, grasses, etc. 
Distribution. Northern North America, breeding in the high northern forest across 
the continent. 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. 
SUBSPECIES. The Northern Shrike of most of North America is the Northeastern 
Shrike (la Pie-grieche du Nord-Est) Lanius borealis borealis. In Alaska and indefinitely 
eastward to Mackenzie occurs the Northwestern Shrike (la Pie-grieche du Nord-Ouest) 
Lanius borealis invictus. 
