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Range (Breeds in the interior) (II)

Breeds in the interior in the far north (Fort Anderson, MacFarlane), and migrates southward in winter as far as Kansas and Virginia. Washington, rare and irregular W. V., Nov. to Feb. Sing Sing, tolerably common W. V., Oct. 26 to Apl. 17. Cambridge, common W. V., Nov. 1 to Apl. 1.

Nest, of twigs, grasses, etc., in low trees or bushes. Eggs, similar in color to those of L. ludovicianus, 1.05 × 76.

This bird may be known at once by his colors-gray, black, and white-by the consternation his appearance causes among the Sparrows, and by his peculiar flight, which is steady and straightforward, with much flapping, and close to the ground till he nears his intended perch, which is reached at the last moment by a sudden upward turn. He is so well known as a bird of hawklike, sanguinary character that most students are astonished when they find out that toward springtime he develops into a vocalist of no mean powers. Often in the warm days of March he may be heard singing on the top of some tall tree, a song that would do credit to a Catbird-indeed, it recalls strongly that loquacious songster. He is, I think, a better singer than his southern cousin, but resembles him in habitually impaling his prey on a thorn, a fence barb, or a forked twig. His food consists chiefly of mice, noxious insects, and the equally noxious English Sparrow, so that the Shrike is a bird worthy of all protection.