LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE. 
83 
DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 
Nests. A specimen now before me, which was taken in Florida from a pine, tree forty feet from the ground, is 
composed of roots and dried grasses, among which is interwoven cotton that the birds procured from a supply 
which was taken from a vessel by the wreckers and spread out to dry. It is lined with flue grasses and cotton. 
■Dimensions: external diameter, 6 inches, internal, 4; external depth, 2-75 inches, internal, 1-50. 
Eggs, four to six in number, oval in form, grayish-white in color, spotted and blotched with reddish-brown and 
lilac. This marking is often distributed irregularly over the surface, but sometimes the spots are more numerous 
on the larger end. Dimensions from ’80x -70 to 1-00 x -75. 
HABITS. 
There was no bird for which I looked with greater interest than the Loggerhead Shrike. 
The first specimen which I ever saw was perched on the top of a stake which stood in a vacant 
lot near Jacksonville but which is now occupied by houses. The bird was busily engaged in 
taking bis dinner of grasshoppers which he captured by diving downwards from his elevated 
position, and, after seizing them in his strong bill, he returned to his former position to devour 
them. These and other insects appear to form the only food of this species in Florida; at least 
such is the result of my observations, after having seen many specimens while living, and after 
dissecting two or three scores that had been shot. lean therefore say in favor of the Shrikes 
that I have never seen them attempt to catch small birds although they were abundant, nor have 
I found aught else than insectivorous food in their stomachs. Another good proof of their 
harmlessness to the smaller species maybe seen in the fact that the Warblers, Sparrows, etc., 
never appear to exhibit any fear of the Shrike, yet we have the best of evidence that in other 
sections they do, at least occasionally, catch little birds ; this may happen, however, when insects 
are scarce, which seldom occurs in Florida. Another peculiarity of these birds in this section 
is, that they do not have the general habit of impaling insects upon thorn bushes, etc., although 
they are reported as so doing in other states. Indeed I can recall but one or two instances 
where I have seen them thus employed; the abundance of food may also be the cause of this. 
It is a universal habit with the Loggerhead to resort to localities like that in which I found 
my first specimen, especially in the neighborhood of settlements, and one is almost certain to 
find a pair in the immediate vicinity of any lonely house which is built in the woods if it has a 
small clearing about it. In the wilder portions where there are no inhabitants they resort to the 
edges of the open savannas or prairies, but it is difficult to find more than two in the same 
locality. They are quite unsuspicious when accustomed to the presence of man, but in the 
wilderness are very shy. The Shrikes breed in April, generally placing their nests in trees at 
some distance from the ground. The only one which I ever found was in a fork of a branch on 
a pine tree more than forty feet from the ground. The structure was pointed out to me by some 
wreckers, who had a house within a few rods of the place, and who kindly assisted me in 
procuring the eggs, which was not an easy task as the birds had placed their domicile upon a 
slender limb at some distance from the trunk. I managed, however, to secure it by means of 
a long cleft stick which I pushed under it, as I clung to the tree, and raising it from its 
place drew it towards me until within reach. This performance was rendered somewhat 
perilous by the wind which, as it was blowing almost a gale at the time, nearly threw me from 
the tree. The birds were very solicitous for the safety of their home, for they flew excitedly 
about, alighting upon the neighboring trees and uttering their harsh alarm notes. This guttural 
sound, usually expressive of annoyance, is occasionally given during winter in place of the song, 
which is quite fine although not equal to that of the Northern Shrike. While giving this melody, 
the bird is perched in an elevated situation, resembling the Mocking Bird in this respect. The 
general coloration and manner of flight of the Loggerhead are also like that of the latter named 
species, but one who is at all familiar with the habits of these two birds would readily detect 
