BIG GAME AND ITS BIRD-PROTECTORS 273 
worst of detrimentals. Although, as just indicated, 
these shrikes hold frequent impromptu concerts entirely 
on their own account (and which cannot alarm game) 
yet it is more than certain that they will also insist on 
“addressing the meeting” precisely at those critical 
moments of a stalk when their ill-timed chatter spells 
sure disaster to the hunter. 
sociable shrike (Urolestes melanoleucus). 
The shrikes, being insect-feeders, habitually attend 
the herds of big game, in order to pick up the locusts, 
grasshoppers, etc., that are disturbed by the slowly-graz¬ 
ing animals. Obviously many more grasshoppers would 
be set in motion by a stampeded herd in full flight 
than by separate beasts sedately feeding. Thus the 
shrikes have a direct personal interest (if they knew it) 
in alarming each herd of game. That they have so 
deeply worked out the problem as to associate the 
appearance of a hunter with alarm to the game and its 
resultant feast on grasshoppers, it would not be wise to 
