on vertebrates, with small mammals (probably mainly 
Microtus and Peromyscus) predominating (Nearing 1961, 
Smith 1921, Breemfield 1921, Strode 1918). Songbirds 
have also been considered important prey. House spar- 
rows (Passer domesticus) have been most often men- 
tioned, but also juncos (Junco hyemalis) , vesper sparrow 
(Pooecetes gramineus), Henslow’s sparrow (Passerher- 
bulus henslowii), field sparrow (Spizella pusilla), blue- 
bird (Sialia sialis), horned lark (Eremophila alpestris) , 
and downy woodpecker (Dendrocopos pubescens) (Far- 
well 1919, Miller 1935, Strumberg 1883, Vandercook 
1921, Schafer 1921, and Woodruff 1897). Snakes, par- 
ticularly garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis), and small 
frogs are frequently found in the food caches (Nearing 
1961, Woodruff 1897), and the most commonly men- 
tioned invertebrate in the caches are short-horned grass- 
hoppers (Vandercook 1921, Vestal 1913, Ridgway 1889). 
We have seen a number of summer food caches in south- 
ern Illinois which consisted of only one or two items, 
always including either a vole (Microtus) or a house spar- 
row or both. One cache which we found on a barbed wire 
fence in late April in Johnson County, however, contained 
a bird skull (Passer?), three small frogs (Acris crepitans) , 
a small garter snake (Thamnophis), two beetles (Scar- 
abaeidae) , and a moth, plus four regurgitated pellets, one 
of which we saw a shrike pin on the fence along with the 
other items. 
Examination of the stomachs of a number of shrikes 
(62 adults and 9 stub-tailed juveniles) collected in south. 
ern Illinois indicates food habits different from the above 
(Table 3). The stomachs did contain numbers of grass 
hoppers (Acrididae), as expected from the field observa. 
tions, but more dominant food items were ground beetle: 
(Carabidae) and caterpillars, with vertebrates bein 
much less frequent (Table 3). Many of the grounc 
beetles were small, which suggests that shrikes forage < 
lot on the ground. Many of the caterpillars were Euro 
pean corn borers (Ostrinia nubilalis) which overwinte 
in cornstalks. How the shrikes get these insects is no 
known. There was no marked difference mn adult anc 
juvenile stomach contents. Though there are some inter 
esting seasonal variations, e.g. the increased consumptio1 
of grasshoppers and Hymenoptera in late summer anx 
fall, the consistent quality of the diet is even more im 
pressive than the variations. Is the loggerhead shrik 
more dependent upon beetles and caterpillars than upo 
vertebrate prey for sustenance? From the present dat 
we cannot say, and more systematic studies are requirec 
The food data do indicate the versatility of shrikes 1 
foraging. Cleland (1922) and Breemfield (1921) observe 
shrikes catching prey by following farmers discing the: 
fields. In describing predation by shrikes on house spai 
rows, Larsen (1897) observed that the shrike relentless! 
chased a sparrow until it tired. In catching grasshopper 
Taste 3.— Stomach contents of loggerhead shrikes collected in southern Illmois, 1971-1972, 
January April July September-October 
Percent Fre- Percent Fre- Percent Fre- Percent Fre 
Food Item Percent f Percent f Percent f Percent f 
of all quency o ae quency 0 é fail quency o oftait quency 0 
It Occurrence I Occurrence I Occurrence I Occurrenc 
Se (10 spec.) tons (31 spec.) Bees (20 spec.) << (10 spec.) 
Diplopoda eel 10 0 6 ORY i) 
Insects 
(Unspecified) DP 10 : a - oe 1G 
Orthoptera (grasshoppers) a 40 D2 19 2g) 3 65 2974 60 
Hemiptera (stink bugs) i al 10 0.5 3 ORS 5 
Coleoptera (unspecified) G.7 20 Bl 13 Be 5 a Re 
Carabidae (ground beetles) 18.0 60 Silt 84 2520 65 14.7 40 
Silphidae (carrion beetles) : 226 5) 
Elateridae (wire worms) OFS 3 
Scarabaeidae (Anomala, dung 
beetles) 557) 13 Oe 15 at b- 
Cerambycidae (Megacyllene) ZAG 13 2.6 10 8.8 30 
Curculionidae (snout 
beetles) 2) DP 20 ee ae site 
Lepidoptera (caterpillars only) 46.1 70 223 45 9.5 40 29.4 70 
Hymenoptera (winged ants, wasps) BIG 150 3 21D 15 11.8 30 
Arachnida (wolf spiders) 7 30 wil 10 ied 10 
Vertebrates 
Small birds Lee 10 O25 3 
Small mammals (Microtus, 
Peromyscus ) 3.4 30 4.2 26 579 20 
Plant material (twigs, grass) ie 10 5 
Grit Be a 5 A = 
Totals 99.8 99.8 100.0 ca 100.0 
12 
