220 
[June, 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[C0PYRTGIIT SECURED.] 
THE GREAT NORTHERN SHRIKE OR BUTCHER-BIRD —(Collyrio borealis .)— Drawn by H. TT. Herrick, and Engraved for the American Agriculturist. 
The Shrikes and the Fly-catchers form a 
small family of birds, the members of which 
have a strong and compressed bill, which is ab- 
rnptly hooked at the tip, and the upper and 
lower half both strongly notched. They are 
all carnivorous, feeding on insects, reptiles, and 
smaller birds. We have but four Shrikes in 
North America, and only one of them common 
in the Northern Atlantic States, where it is gen¬ 
erally known as the Butcher-Bird. Its name of 
Great Northern Shrike would convey the idea 
of a large bird, but it is only a little larger than 
the other species, and at most only about 10 
inches long, and of the form shown in the 
spirited drawing by Mr. Herrick. The upper 
parts of the head and body are of a bluish-ash 
color, the under parts white; the wings and tail 
are black. The bird is found from the Eastern 
United States to Vancouver Territory, building 
its nest in the smaller trees or tall shrubs. It is 
especially noticeable for its disagreeable quali¬ 
ties. It possesses a remarkable power of imi¬ 
tating the sounds of other birds in distress, and 
thus attracts the attention of smaller birds, 
which come to the aid of their supposed fellows 
in trouble and fall victims to the strong bill and 
sharp claws of the Butcher-Bird. It is said 
that it will even attack birds confined in cages, | 
coming fearlessly near dwellings for the pur¬ 
pose. It is altogether a very quarrelsome and 
unamiable character. Not only does it destroy 
defenceless birds, but it seems to be proud of the 
achievement, and hangs them up as trophies. 
Instead of devouring its prey at once, it impales 
it upon a thorn or sharp twig. The slender 
thorns of the Three-thorned Acacia are favorites 
with the bird for this purpose, and it is not rare 
to find this tree decorated with the dead bodies 
of small birds, as well as those of different in¬ 
sects Avhich have been suspended there by the 
Butcher-Bird. What object the bird can have 
in thus suspending its dead prey, seems to be 
a puzzle to naturalists. It probably has simi¬ 
lar tastes to those gourmands, who prefer to have 
their game hang until it is on the verge of de¬ 
cay. A related species is common in Conti¬ 
nental Europe, and has similar habits. 
To prevent Birds pulling Corn. 
There are numerous devices for keeping the 
birds away from corn, among which are scare¬ 
crows, wind-mills, bits oftin hung on strings, sus¬ 
pended twine, and powder and shot. We had 
faith in the stuffed man, until we saw the birds 
use him as a roost; in the twine, until we found 
corn pulled up right under the strings; and in 
shooting, until we found, we had to keep a man 
in the field all the while there was danger, 
in which case, the man would answer without 
the powder. Where the services of children are 
available, continual watching for two weeks, 
will save the corn. But this is not always the 
case, and the cornfield is often at a distance 
from the dwelling. Coating the seed in tar, is 
one of the best safeguards we have ever tried. 
The strong odor is offensive to the birds, and 
after a few trials of the article they quit in dis¬ 
gust. Caution however should be used in put¬ 
ting on the tar. The thinnest coating is just as 
effectual as one that wfill prevent germination. 
Stir in with the seed the smallest quantity of 
tar that will give a coating, and to prevent the 
adhesion of the kernels, stir in plaster, ashes, or 
dry earth. If the tarring has been neglected, 
and the corn is already up, it is a great safe¬ 
guard, to sow corn broadcast at the rate of two 
quarts or more to the acre. The birds will take 
the corn that is most accessible, and leave that 
which is below the surface, or just sprouting. 
If one is not a disciple of Bergh, and wishes to 
multiply insects, let him poison the sowed 
corn. He can bag his game at leisure, but lie 
would also be likely to bag less fruit and grain. 
