SHRIKE. 
419 
we have already given of this bird does not seem to, 
admit of much maternal tenderness ; and yet, very 
different from the other birds of prey, which expel 
their helpless brood, the shrike treats her infant 
young with the most tender affection, and even 
after they are grown continues her regard towards 
them. As the autumn approaches, the offspring 
assist the parents in providing for their common 
support; and this family compact continues to exist 
during the winter; nor is the harmony of it disturbed, 
till the genial influence of spring calls them to new 
pursuits, and excites them to form other unions. 
These little creatures are very spirited, and their 
intrepidity is such that they will frequently attack 
birds of prey much larger than themselves, especially 
if the intruders dare to approach their nest. When- 
ever they are molested during the time of incuba- 
tion, or while their young require protection, they 
rush upon the enemy, and, making all the noise they 
are able, generally drive him off the field ; though 
it sometimes happens that they fall to the ground 
with the bird they have so furiously fixed upon, 
and in that case the battle is seldom concluded 
without at least the death of one of the combat- 
ants. 
In the fourth volume of the American Philoso- 
phical Transactions, there is a paper by Mr. Hecke- 
welder, giving an account of what in that country 
they call the nine-killer. This is only another name 
for the shrike, which they have given him from a 
2 e 2 
