"I thought all the country was good for then, was for coasting and skating! I wish I could stay here a whole year, Uncle Roy." "Stranger things have happened," said the Doctor, looking at Olive with a twinkle in his eye that the children did not see.
The Great Northern Shrike Length about ten inches.
Upper parts bluish-gray, with a broad black stripe along the side of the head to behind the eye.

Black wings with a large white spot on each.
Black tail with white tips to the outside feathers.
Lower parts grayish-white, faintly barred with darker.

A great strong beak, hooked like a Hawk's.
Only a Winter Visitor in the United States--a Summer Citizen of the far North.
Belongs both to the Ground Gleaners and the Wise Watchers.
THE CEDAR WAXWING (THE POLITE BIRD) "This is the bird, Nat, that you saw in the cedar tree, where you said it was 'sitting about doing nothing,'" continued the Doctor.
"The reason of this seeming idleness is, that he belongs to the small group of birds who do not nest until June, and hereabouts rarely begin their homes before the middle of that month.

Waxwings are very gentle, affectionate birds; before the nesting season, and after their families are able to take care of themselves, they wander about in flocks of sometimes thirty or forty, keeping close together, both when they fly and when they take their seats.

They spend most of the time in the trees where they feed, whispering to one another in their quiet way, and you will very seldom see them on the ground.
"Your best chance to watch them is either before the leaves are out or after they have fallen, when a flock will sometimes sit for half an hour in a bare tree, exchanging civilities, stroking each other's feathers, and passing food around.