. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Natural history; Sciences naturelles. ly of that swelliiif,' in ry and other singing 0 tlian eight inches. 1 Butcher. Butcher-bird cr.) NATURAL IIISTOUV. 2G7. at Grey Shrike. II deserve their name, Is, which they kill and )aratory to devouring Fter the same manner m some ])lace of con- i to be only an occa- ids upon mice, birds, 3r pouncing upon its prey, the Shrike, by a few blows on the head from its powerful bill destroys it. The unfortunate animal is then carried to the nearest hedge, impaled with a thorn, and the Shrike dovoure it at his leis
. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Natural history; Sciences naturelles. ly of that swelliiif,' in ry and other singing 0 tlian eight inches. 1 Butcher. Butcher-bird cr.) NATURAL IIISTOUV. 2G7. at Grey Shrike. II deserve their name, Is, which they kill and )aratory to devouring Fter the same manner m some ])lace of con- i to be only an occa- ids upon mice, birds, 3r pouncing upon its prey, the Shrike, by a few blows on the head from its powerful bill destroys it. The unfortunate animal is then carried to the nearest hedge, impaled with a thorn, and the Shrike dovoure it at his leisure. Large insects are treated in the sjuiie manner. The name Excubitor or Sentinel is given it from its habit of watching for birds of i>rey, and chattering luudly directly it perceives thcni; thereby proving that, like most other tyrants, he has a great objection to suffering any injury himself. The bird-catchers on the Continent take ad- vantage of this peculiarity, to assist them in the capture of tlie peregi-ine falcon. The fowler places a small net on the ground, with a pigeon fastened to it by way of bait. A string is attached to the net and brought within a tiu-f hut where the fowler sits. Close to the hut a shrike is tied to the ground, and two pieces of turf are set up as a shelter for the bird from the weather, and as a refuge from the hawk. The fowler remains within his hut busied with some .sedentary occupation, knowing well that his vigilant watchman will not foil to give him notice of the apjjroach of a hawk. Directly a hawk appears in the distance, the shrike becomes agitiited; as it draws nearer, he V)cgins to scream witii fright; and just as the liawk poiuiccs on the pigeon, he runs under liis turf, which is the signal to the fowler within the liut to pull the string, thereby enclosing the hawk within the folds of the net. The nest is built on trees, and contains about six eggs, greyish-white, spotted with dark ash on the larger end ; the length of the bird
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, booksubjectnaturalhistory, booksubjectsciencesn
