Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Shrike"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Shrike \Shrike\, n. [Akin to Icel. skr[=i]kja a shrieker, the
shrike, and E. shriek; cf. AS. scr[=i]c a thrush. See
{Shriek}, v. i.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of oscinine birds of the family
{Laniid[ae]}, having a strong hooked bill, toothed at the
tip. Most shrikes are insectivorous, but the common European
gray shrike ({Lanius excubitor}), the great northern shrike
({L. borealis}), and several others, kill mice, small birds,
etc., and often impale them on thorns, and are, on that
account called also {butcher birds}. See under {Butcher}.

Note: The ant shrikes, or bush shrikes, are clamatorial birds
of the family {Formicarid[ae]}. The cuckoo shrikes of
the East Indies and Australia are Oscines of the family
{Campephagid[ae]}. The drongo shrikes of the same
regions belong to the related family {Dicrurid[ae]}.
See {Drongo}.

{Crow shrike}. See under {Crow}.

{Shrike thrush}.
(a) Any one of several species of Asiatic timaline birds of
the genera {Thamnocataphus}, {Gampsorhynchus}, and
allies.
(b) Any one of several species of shrikelike Australian
singing birds of the genus {Colluricincla}.

{Shrike tit}.
(a) Any one of several Australian birds of the genus
{Falcunculus}, having a strong toothed bill and sharp
claws. They creep over the bark of trees, like titmice,
in search of insects.
(b) Any one of several species of small Asiatic birds
belonging to {Allotrius}, {Pteruthius}, {Cutia},
{Leioptila}, and allied genera, related to the true tits.
Called also {hill tit}.

{Swallow shrike}. See under {Swallow}.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

shrike
n : any of numerous Old World birds having a strong hooked bill
that feed on smaller animals

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