THE TED-BACHED SHRIKE . 
357 
the bird was not considered as a veritable hawk, and in the old 
days of sumptuary laws, when each degree of rank had its own 
particular species of hawk, this was a fact of some significance, 
showing that those who thus employed the Shrike were not of 
gentle blood. 
The popular notion of the time supplied another reason why 
the Shrike was looked upon with disdain as a bird-catcher. It 
was supposed to use guile in securing its prey, instead of openly 
conquering in fair chase. 4 Sometimes/ writes an old sporting 
author, 4 upon certain birds she doth use to prey, whome she 
doth entrappe and deceive by flight, for this is her desire. She 
will stand at pearch upon some tree or poste, and there make an 
exceeding lamentable crye and exclamation, such as birds are 
wonte to do, being wronged or in hazard of mischiefe, and all 
to make other fowles believe and thinke that she is very much 
distressed and stands in need of ayde ; whereupon the credulous 
sellie birds do flocke together presently at her call and voice, at 
what time if any happen to approach neare her she out of hand 
ceazeth on them, and devoureth them (ungrateful subtill fowle !) 
in requital for their simplicity and pains. 
‘ Heere I end of this hawke, because I neither accompte 
her worthy the name of a hawke, in whom there resteth no 
valour or hardiness, nor yet deserving to have any more written 
upon her propertie and nature. For truly it is not the property 
of any other hawke, by such devise and cowardly will to come 
by their prey, but they love to winne it by main force of wings 
at random, as the round winged hawkes doe, or by free stoop- 
ing, as the hawkes of the tower doe most commonly use, as the 
falcon, gerfalcon, sacre, merlyn, and such like.’ 
The Shrikes have a peculiarity which is not shared by any 
other predacious bird. When they have slain their prey, no 
matter whether it be bird, beast, reptile, or insect, they take it to 
some thorn tree, and there impale it, pressing a long and sharp 
thorn into the body, so as to hold it firmly. The Great Grey 
Shrike will thus transfix the smaller birds, frogs, field-mice, and 
other creatures which are nearly as large as itself, and in some 
instances it has been known to kill and impale the thrush. It 
