. [Articles about birds from National geographic magazine]. Birds. BIRD BANDING, THE TELLTALE OF MIGRATORY FLIGHT 105 gray back, white underparts, and black wings, which, wlien spread, show a large white patch in the middle (see page loyj. These markings, together with size, give the Shrike so much general resem- blance to Mocking Birds that it is some- times mistaken for this songster. There the resemblance ends, however, for the broad, black band on each side of the head, the hooked, raptorial beak, strong claws, and fierce courage characterize this little Ijuccaneer. It is imquestionably a
. [Articles about birds from National geographic magazine]. Birds. BIRD BANDING, THE TELLTALE OF MIGRATORY FLIGHT 105 gray back, white underparts, and black wings, which, wlien spread, show a large white patch in the middle (see page loyj. These markings, together with size, give the Shrike so much general resem- blance to Mocking Birds that it is some- times mistaken for this songster. There the resemblance ends, however, for the broad, black band on each side of the head, the hooked, raptorial beak, strong claws, and fierce courage characterize this little Ijuccaneer. It is imquestionably a far greater de- stroyer of small birds than is commonly appreciated. When in the neighborhood of a banding station it quickly notices the concentration of birds there and promptly proceeds to take advantage of its oppor- tunity. Sometimes a Shrike even enters the trap to get at the captives. More com- monly it alights on or hovers about the wire meshes of the cage, until the birds within develop an uncontrollable panic and thrust their heads against the meshes to try to escape. Then it seizes a head in its claws and promptly pulls it off or lets the bird fall back dead. Needless to say, when found about a banding station Shrikes usually have short shrift. NUMEROUS SPECIES ENTER THE TRAPS By establishing a series of automatic traps at the same station, which may l)e visited at frequent intervals, the number of birds captured in a day may vary from a few individuals to more than 200. Such captures may include a considerable va- riety of species. At the station near Thomasville, Georgia (see, also, text, page 95)' 37 were taken one year between January and April, including such diverse "kinds as the Sparrow Hawk, Mourning Dove, several kinds of Woodpeckers, Blue Jays, several kinds of Sparrows, Cedar Birds, several diiTerent Warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Hermit Thrush, IMocking Bird, and others. Occasionally recaptures of banded birds occur imder circumstances which add th
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