considerably by April. July specimens are badly worn 
and some, including adults, show the beginning of the 
molt. The molt appears to be prolonged, as all September 
and early October specimens are still in heavy molt. 
NORTHERN SHRIKE (Lanius excubitor) 
(Fig. 11 and 12) 
The northern shrike is primarily a winter visitant to 
Illinois, and though there are numerous records for the 
species (Fig. 13) there are relatively few collected speci- 
mens. Because of the marked similarity between the 
northern shrike and the loggerhead (Fig. 2 and 11 
sight records of the northern species in Illinois are a 
ways subject to question as, by the same token, aj 
winter records of the loggerhead in the northern ha 
of the state. There is no way to determine the validii 
of most of the published winter records of shrikes i 
northern Illinois, and discussion of the distribution (Fi: 
13) is problematical. The two species are identifiab 
with care, however, and we have generally accepte 
shrike records (as given) for northern Illinois as we 
as for central Illinois from observers with considerab 
field experience. On the other hand, we have found r 
Fig to Northern shrike. This species is slightly larger and paler gray than the loggerhead, with less black on the foreheac 
yellowish, vs. black, mandible, and a stronger bill. Most Illinois specimens have very faint vermiculations on the breast, but sc 
plumages and populations of the northern shrike are more heavily vermiculated than the specimen shown. 
14 
