GREAT AMERICAN SHRIKE, or BUTCHER- 
BIRD. 
( Lanius septentrionalis , Gm. Bonap. L. excubitor , Wilson, i. p. 74, 
pi. 5. fig. 1. Philad. Museum, No. 664.) 
Sp. Chahact. — Light slate-color, beneath white, undulated with 
pale brown ; wings and tail black ; tail-feathers, excepting the 2 
middle ones, partly white ; third primary longest ; 4th, equal to 
the 2d. — Female paler, with the band of black on the face ob- 
scure. — Young , greyish drab-color, wing spot obscure, 3d and 4th 
primaries nearly equal, the 2d much shorter, with four of the 
middle tail-feathers wholly black. 
This little wary northern hunter is most commonly seen 
in this part of the continent at the commencement of 
winter, a few remaining with us throughout that season ; 
and it is remarked by Wilson, that they do not extend 
their wanderings further than the state of Virginia. In 
March they retire to the north, though some take up their 
