ground, in thickets
or open woods near water; the eggs are two or three in number, light
gray, spotted sharply with black; size .88 x .65. Data.--Pasadena, Cal.,
July 15, 1894. Nest in an oak 10 feet up; composed of weeds and string.
Collector, Horace Gaylord.

SHRIKES. Family LANIIDAE

621. NORTHERN SHRIKE. _Lanius borealis._

Range.--North America, breeding north of our borders; winters in
northern half of the United States and casually farther south.

All Shrikes are similar in nature and plumage, being grayish above and
white below, with black wings, tail and ear patches, and with white
outer tail feathers and bases of primaries; the present species may be
known by its larger size (length over 10 inches) and wavy dusky lines on
the breast. They are bold and cruel birds, feeding upon insects, small
rodents and small birds, in the capture of which they display great
cunning and courage; as they have weak feet, in order to tear their prey
to pieces with their hooked bill, they impale it upon thorns. They nest
in thickets and tangled underbrush, making their nests of vines,
grasses, catkins, etc., matted together into a rude structure. During
April or May they lay from four to six grayish white eggs, spotted and
blotched with yellowish brown and umber; size 1.05 x .75.

622. LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE. _Lanius ludovicianus ludovicianus._

Range.--United States, east of the Plains, breeding north to New England
and Illinois; winters in Southern States.

Like the last but smaller (length 9 inches), not marked below and with
the ear patches sharply defined. They nest in hedges or thickly tangled
brush, showing a predilection for dense thorn bushes, where they place
their piles of weeds, grasses, feathers and rubbish; the four or five
eggs are laid in April or May; they are like those of the last, but
smaller, averaging .96 x .72.

[Illustration 378: 619--620.]
[Illustration: Light gray.]
[Illustration: Grayish white.]
[Illustration: Grayish white.]
[Illustration: Northern Shrike.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]

Page 377

[Illustration 379: I. E. Hess.
LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE AND NEST.]

Page 378

622a. WHITE-RUMPED SHRIKE. _Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides._

Range.--North America, west of the Plains, breeding north to Manitoba
and the Saskatchewan; winters south to Mexico.

Like the last but paler and the rump white. Their nesting habits and
eggs are in every respect like those of the Loggerhead Shrike.