THE BUTCHER BIRD. 
59 
within its reach, as it has been known upon such oc- 
casions to dart suddenly into the thicket and bear off 
the body of some deluded victim. It will also occa- 
sionally pursue its prey upon the wing for a consid- 
erable distance, and 
sometimes succeeds in 
bringing it to the 
ground. 
Like the J ays, this 
bird has the habit of 
stowing away its sur- 
plus food, as though 
for future use. The 
Jay finds some hole 
in a tree, or crack or 
crevice in the bark, 
where he secretes 
what he does not need 
for the present; while 
the Butcher Bird im- Butcher Bird, 
pales its victims upon thorns or other sharp points 
that may happen to suit its purpose. The object of 
its so doing remains a mystery, many opinions rela- 
tive to the subject having been expressed by various 
observers, but this part of the history of this singular 
bird has yet to be properly elucidated. 
The Butcher Bird inhabits most of the Eastern, 
Middle, and Southern States, retiring during Sum- 
mer to the more northern and mountainous districts, 
for the purpose of incubation. The nest is generally 
built among the forked branches near the top of a 
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