The WOOD SWALLOW SHRIKE (_Artamus sordidus_) is of a reddish grey upon
the body; the tail and wings are dark blueish black, the third and fourth
quill being edged with white upon the outer web. The tail-feathers, with
the exception of the two in the centre, are broadly tipped with white.
The eye is dark brown, the beak blue at its base and black at its tip;
the feet are greyish white. The female is smaller than her mate, and
presents a spotted appearance upon the back, the feathers on that part
having a dirty white streak upon their shafts. The colour of the surface
of the body is a mixture of white and brown. This bird is about six
inches long and thirteen and a half broad.
The various species of Swallow Shrike, though differing slightly in some
of their habits and in their mode of life, still bear so strong a family
likeness to each other as will permit us to describe them collectively.
All prefer woodland districts, and usually select localities in which
their favourite trees abound. One species in particular is called
by the natives the Palmyra Swallow, from the fact that it always
seeks the shelter of the Palmyra palm. Such members of the family as
inhabit Java select trees growing in open tracts, covered with short
grass and brushwood; one of their favourite trees is then chosen as a
sleeping-place or gathering-point, and from thence they fly over the
surrounding country in search of food. Jerdon tells us that the fancy of
the Swallow Shrike for certain trees is so strong that where these grow
it is often found living at an altitude of 4,000 feet above the level
of the sea. It is only in the air that these birds exhibit their full
powers; and as they glide along, with outspread but almost motionless
wings, their movements resemble those of some of the Raptores. Other
species, on the contrary, exhibit all the rapidity and free evolution
of the True Swallow, as they soar aloft or sink rapidly to the earth in
pursuit of their tiny aërial victims. They but rarely descend to the
ground, as their progress on foot is accomplished with some difficulty.
Shortly after the breeding season enormous parties of Swallow Shrikes
congregate upon the trees, where they live in the utmost harmony, each
one satisfying its own wants, and carrying on the business of the day
without either molesting or rendering assistance to its companions. A
tree thus occupied is as full of life and bustle as a beehive, every
part of its foliage affording a perch to one of these hungry and active
birds, whose sharp eyes enable them instantly to detect and dart upon a
passing insect, after which process they at once return to their former
position on the tree. Gould tells us that these large flocks may often
be seen hovering over a sheet of water, and literally darkening its
surface by their numbers, as they dart about amidst the tempting hosts
of insects that abound in such localities. We must not omit to mention
one very striking peculiarity of the Wood Swallows. Gilbert tells us he
has seen swarms of these birds, as large as a bushel measure, hanging
like bees in large clusters from the branches of the trees. "This bird,"
says Gould, "besides being the commonest species of the genus, is a great
favourite with the Australians, not only on account of its singular and
pleasing actions, but by its often taking up its abode and incubating
near the houses, particularly such as are surrounded by paddocks and open
pasture-land, skirted by large trees. It was in such situations as these
I first had the opportunity of observing this species; it is there very
numerous in all the cleared estates on the south side of the Derwent,
about eight or ten being seen on a single tree, crowding against one
another on the same dead branch, but never in such numbers as to deserve
the appellation of flocks. Each bird appeared to act independently of
the other, each, as the desire for food prompted it, sallying forth from
the branch to capture a passing insect, or to soar around the tree and
return again to the same spot. On alighting it repeatedly throws one wing
out at a time, and spreads its tail obliquely, previous to settling.
At other times a few were seen perched on the fence surrounding the
paddock, on which they frequently descended like Starlings, in search
of coleoptera and other insects. It is not, however, in this state of
comparative quiescence that this graceful bird is seen to best advantage,
neither is it at that state of existence for which its form is especially
adapted; for though its structure is more equally suited for terrestrial,
arboreal, and aërial habits than any other species I have examined, yet
the form of the wings point out the air as its peculiar province. Here
it is that when engaged in pursuit of the insects which the warm weather
has enticed from their lurking-places among the foliage to sport in
higher regions, this beautiful species in its aërial flights displays its
greatest beauty, whilst soaring above in a variety of easy positions,
with its white-tipped tail outspread."
The voice of these birds resembles the call-note of the Swallow, but is
somewhat harsher and more monotonous. Some are stationary, while others
wander from one place to another as soon as the period of incubation
is over. The Wood Swallow makes its appearance in Van Dieman's Land
in October, at the commencement of the Australian summer; and after
rearing two broods returns again to more northern latitudes. The nests
are built in a great variety of situations. Gould found one in a
thickly-foliaged bush close to the ground, another placed in the fork of
a bare branch, and others under the loose bark of a large tree; they are
also frequently placed under the roofs of the settlers' houses; and one
species in particular prefers to avoid all labour by taking possession
of the deserted nests of other birds. Their own nests are usually neatly
formed of delicate twigs, woven together, and lined with fine fibrous
roots. The four eggs that constitute a brood are generally of a dirty
white, spotted and streaked with reddish brown. Bernstein tells us that
the species inhabiting Java build amid the parasitic plants that cover
their favourite palms, or upon the leaves of the tree itself, forming
their little abodes of grass, moss, fibres, and small leaves, carelessly
arranged, but strongly lined with soft and elastic materials. The Indian
species, according to Jerdon, makes a bed of feathers inside its nest.
Many of the members of this family remain in company even during the
breeding season, and build in close proximity to each other. It is still
uncertain whether the male bird assists in the cares of incubation, but
both parents tend their young with great care, and rear them exclusively
upon insect diet.
* * * * *
The FLY-CATCHERS, according to Linnæus, comprise a large number of small
singing birds, distinguished by their broad, flat beaks. These have again
been divided into a variety of families, amongst which the following
stands first upon our list as forming a connecting link between the
Fly-catchers and the Shrikes properly so-called.
* * * * *
The KING or TYRANT SHRIKES (_Tyranni_) constitute a family of American
birds, having small but powerful bodies, and long, pointed wings, which
when closed extend half-way down the tail. The second and third quills
exceed the rest in length. The large broad tail is either excised or
rounded at its extremity; the legs are strong, the tarsi high, and the
toes muscular; the straight and slightly conical beak terminates in a
hook, and is surrounded with bristles at its base. The thick soft plumage
is usually grey upon the back, and white or yellow upon the under parts
of the body. The Tyrant Shrikes are found extensively throughout South
America, and are especially numerous in the warmest latitudes of that
continent.