Crest usually conspicuous; tail tipped with yellow; a black 'bridle.'
Range. Nests from North Carolina and Kansas to Canada; winters irregularly throughout the United States.
Washington, very common P.R., less so in winter. Ossining, common P.R. Cambridge, not common P.R., common S.R., abundant T.V. in spring, Feb. 1-Apl. 25. N. Ohio, irregularly common in summer. Glen Ellyn. S.R., Jan. 21-Sept. 24; occasional W.V. SE. Minn., common S.R., Feb. 25-Sept. 28.
A Waxwing's crest is as expressive as a horse's ears. One moment it points skyward the next it flattens and disappears. They are as sociable as "Love Birds," traveling in small flocks which, like one bird, dive into a tree and perch so close together that often several will be almost touching, and with common accord they take wing. They feed mainly on small fruit both wild and cultivated but are also expert flycatchers. They nest in June, usually in shade or fruit trees, building a well-made nest for the beautiful, clay-colored, black-spotted eggs.
SHRIKES. FAMILY LANIIDÆ
NORTHERN SHRIKE
Lanius borealis. [Case 2], Fig. 56
Larger than the Migrant and Loggerhead Shrikes with a grayish, not black, forehead and a lightly barred, not plain white breast. L. 10¼.
Range. Nests in Canada, winters south to Texas and Virginia.
Washington, rare and irregular W.V., Oct.-Feb. Ossining, tolerably common W.V., Oct. 26-Apl. 17. Cambridge, common W.V., Nov. 1-Apl. 1. N. Ohio, not common W.V., Nov. 6-Apl. 3. Glen Ellyn, not common W.V., Oct. 24-June 5. SE. Minn., common W.V., Oct. 17-Mch. 28.