358 
STRANGE DWELLINGS. 
does not always employ thorns for this purpose, but will use 
sharply-pointed splinters of wood, or even an iron spike if no 
better instrument can be found. 
Why it should have recourse to such a singular mode of 
holding its prey is quite a mystery. Some have said that the 
digestive organs of the Shrike are incapable of dissolving fresh 
meat, and that the bird is obliged to render its prey semi- 
putrid by exposure before it can venture to make a meal. But, 
as the Shrike frequently eats a little bird or insect as soon as 
it is caught, this theory falls to the ground. 
Whatever theory may be right or wrong, the fact remains that 
the Shrikes impale the creatures which they have killed, and 
prefer to hang them near their nests. The Red-back Shrike 
makes insects its chief prey. The nest of this Shrike always 
affords a curious sight, and as the bird is plentiful it may easily 
be seen. 
There is not the least difficulty in finding a Shrike’s nest, for 
the owner really seems to use every means which can attract 
attention. In the first place, it is a bird of insatiable curiosity. 
It will follow, or rather precede, a human being for half an hour 
at a time, keeping always some thirty or forty yards in front, 
settling near the top of a hedge, and wagging its long tail up and 
down as if to make itself more conspicuous. Last year I amused 
myself by making a Shrike move up and down a long hedge for 
a very long time, while I was insect-hunting among the flowers. 
Whenever the Shrike begins to act in this manner, it may gene- 
rally be presumed that a nest is at no great distance. 
Then, if perchance the careful observer should note these 
signs and approach the spot where the nest is placed, the bird 
sets up a hideous squall, just as if it intended to inform the 
searcher that he was right at last. The alarm cry of the black- 
bird is quite enough to draw attention as the bird flies through 
the underwood ; but at all events it is only a short cry, and the 
bird is soon out of sight; but the Shrike remains on or near the 
nest while it continues to utter its harsh screams, and flies away 
noisily when the intruder is close at hand. 
The nest itself is large, and not concealed with any care, 
