Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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}.

Butcher \Butch"er\, n. [OE. bochere, bochier, OF. bochier, F.
   boucher, orig., slaughterer of buck goats, fr. OF. boc, F.
   bouc, a buck goat; of German or Celtic origin. See {Buck} the
   animal.]
   1. One who slaughters animals, or dresses their flesh for
      market; one whose occupation it is to kill animals for
      food.

   2. A slaughterer; one who kills in large numbers, or with
      unusual cruelty; one who causes needless loss of life, as
      in battle. ``Butcher of an innocent child.'' --Shak.

   {Butcher bird} (Zo["o]l.), a species of shrike of the genus
      {Lanius}.

   Note: The {Lanius excubitor} is the common butcher bird of
         Europe. In England, the bearded tit is sometimes called
         the {lesser butcher bird}. The American species are
         {L.borealis}, or {northern butcher bird}, and {L.
         Ludovicianus} or {loggerhead shrike}. The name butcher
         bird is derived from its habit of suspending its prey
         impaled upon thorns, after killing it.

   {Butcher's meat}, such flesh of animals slaughtered for food
      as is sold for that purpose by butchers, as beef, mutton,
      lamb, and pork.

Source : WordNet®

Lanius excubitor
     n : common European butcherbird [syn: {European shrike}]