Dusky, Gray, and Slate-colored 
distinction between the only two representatives of the shrike 
family that frequent our neighborhood — and they are two too 
many — is in the smaller size of the loggerhead and its lighter-gray 
plumage. But as both these birds select some high, commanding 
position, like a distended branch near the tree-top, a cupola, 
house-peak, lightning-rod, telegraph wire, or weather-vane, the 
better to detect a passing dinner, it would be quite impossible at 
such a distance to know which shrike was sitting up there 
silently plotting villainies, without remembering the season when 
each may be expected. 
Northern Shrike 
(Lanius borealis) Shrike family 
Called also: BUTCHER-BIRD; NINE-KILLER 
Length— 9.5 to 10.5 inches. About the size of the robin. 
Male — Upper parts slate-gray ; wing quills and tail black, edged 
and tipped with white, conspicuous in flight; a white spot 
on centre of outer wing feathers. A black band runs from 
bill, through eye to side of throat. Light gray below, tinged 
with brownish, and faintly marked with waving lines of 
darker gray. Bill hooked and hawk-like. 
Female — With eye-band more obscure than male’s, and with 
more distinct brownish cast on her plumage. 
Range — Northern North America. South in winter to middle 
portion of United States. 
Migrations — November. April. A roving winter resident. 
“Matching the bravest of the brave among birds of prey in 
deeds of daring, and no less relentless than reckless, the shrike 
compels that sort of deference, not unmixed with indignation, we 
are accustomed to accord to creatures of seeming insignificance 
whose exploits demand much strength, great spirit, and insatiate 
love for carnage. We cannot be indifferent to the marauder who 
takes his own wherever he finds it — a feudal baron who holds 
his own with undisputed sway — and an ogre whose victims are 
so many more than he can eat, that he actually keeps a private 
graveyard for the balance.” Who is honestly able to give the 
shrikes a better character than Dr. Coues, just quoted ? A few 
offer them questionable defence by recording the large numbers 
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