THE LIVING WORLD. 
337 
ern States, while the latter extends its range as far north as Wisconsin. The 
former is much the handsomer bird, so closely resembling the mocking bird that 
it is frequently mistaken for that species. The latter is distinguished by its 
darker color on the upper parts, and a white rump. Neither of these are very 
musical, but the European congeners, especially the Great Gray Shrike (.Lanins 
excubitor ), is noted for its imitative powers and charming notes. All members 
of the shrike family have a remarkable habit of impaling their prey on thorns 
or other sharp points, for what purpose naturalists have never been able to 
determine. They subsist chiefly on insects, 
but sometimes take their prey from among 
smaller birds, reptiles and mice. Fre¬ 
quently the prey is killed and eaten upon 
the spot, but as often it is conveyed to a 
neighboring thorn tree and there impaled, 
where it is very often suffered to remain 
until entirely decayed. Even in captivity 
this same propensity is exhibited, on which 
account it is commonly called the Butcher 
Bird. The nest is large and coarsely 
constructed, and usually located in a low 
tree-top, among vines which offer some 
concealment. 
The Indigo Blue Bird (Cyanospiza 
cyanea ) is found everywhere between the latitudes of Mexico and Nova Scotia, 
and is one of our prettiest birds, in addition to which charms is a sweet voice, 
though of brief compass. It delights in perching high up on the small limbs 
of a lofty tree and singing its many notes, like a praise offering to the Deity. 
The color is changeable, but during the months of May, June, July and August, 
the male is clothed in a plumage of bright indigo, but later in the season 
the color is changed to a blue, then light 
green, and towards winter to a dull brown. 
It builds its nest in dense grass, generally 
between upright stems, suspended on either 
side, and is constructed of grasses and other 
fibrous material. The eggs are five in num¬ 
ber, of a deep blue, with purple blotch on the 
larger end. Its food is seeds and insects. 
Varieties are also found in Europe. 
Cedar Bird (Ampelis cedr or uni ), also 
called Cherry Bird, is found breeding in 
every State of the Union. It associates in 
flocks of considerable size and is partial 
to cedar trees, off the berries of which it 
largely feeds. It also strips the mountain ash with such voracity that it some¬ 
times becomes helpless from over fullness. The size is that of the crested 
titmouse, which it resembles in having a similar crest of .erectile feathers, the 
plumage’, however, is more attractive. It also feeds off cherries and other small 
fruits but prefers certain insects, the canker-worm being its choice of food. It nests 
in July and lays five eggs of a light slate color, marked with purple blotches. 
HOUSE, OR JENNY WREN. 
CRESTED TITMOUSE. 
