beetles and other hard-skinned species, while others principally devour the small insects which they take on the wing, and others, again, appear to have a predilection for caterpillars, for which they search the leaves of the trees. They also occasionally eat berries. They build their nests sometimes in trees, sometimes in thick bushes, forming them of dry leaves, grass, fibrous roots, moss, and lichens, &c.

Genus VIREO: Vireo. This includes several species, often called Greenlets. The Red-Eyed FLY-CATCHER OF WHIP-TOM-KELLY, V. olivaceus, is a very numerous and familiar species, even venturing into parks, gardens, and yards of cities, where it rears its young and sings its song. Wilson says: "In Jamaica, where this bird is resident, it is called, as Sloane informs us, Whip-tom-kelly, from an imagined resemblance of its notes to these words. And, indeed, on attentively listening for some time to this bird in his full ardor of song, it requires but little of imagination to fancy that you hear it pronounce these words, 'Tom kelly, whip-tom-kelly!' very distinctly." But Mr. Gosse, who has furnished us with several excellent works on Natural History, and heard this bird often in Jamaica, states that its notes bear a very close resemblance to the syllables "John-to-whit," pronounced with an emphasis on the last syllable; an evidence of a fact we have before noticed, that two persons, in attempting to write down the notes of birds, rarely give precisely the same syllables.

The other noted species of Vireo are as follows: the WHITE-EYED FLY-CATCHER, V. Noveboracensis, a small species, but a loud singer, noted, as Wilson says, for introducing fragments of newspaper into the construction of its nest, whence some of his friends proposed to call the bird the Politician: the YELLOW-THROATED GREENLET, V. flavifrons, five and a half inches long, and of a greenish-olive color: the SOLITARY GREENLET, V. solitarius, four and a half inches long, dusky-olive color: the WARBLING FLY-CATCHER, V. gilvus, a pleasing singer: all the preceding common in the United States: the V. altiloquus, occasionally visiting Florida, and having some curious notes: the BLACK-HEADED FLY-CATCHER, V. atricapillus, recently discovered in Texas, seven and a half inches long, above dark olive-green, below white. To these may be added the V. Bartrami, found in New Jersey and Kentucky: the V. longirostris of the Antilles: the V. belli of the upper Missouri.

THE TRUE FLY-CATCHERS.

In these the form of the bill closely resembles that of the Vireos; but this organ is rather longer, and has the ridge slightly flattened at first, but curved toward the tip. The gape is furnished with bristles; the wings are long and pointed, and the toes are short, the outer lateral toe being longer than the inner one.

These birds, which exhibit the characteristic habits of the family in their greatest perfection, are pretty generally distributed over both hemispheres, but more especially in the tropical regions. The species which occur in the temperate and colder regions, generally are summer birds of passage.

Genus MUSCICAPA: Muscicapa.-This includes the SPOTTED FLY-CATCHER, M. griseola, the most familiar and abundant European species, six inches long, of a brownish tint above, with a few dark spots on the head, and dull white beneath; it is common during the summer in England, France, and generally over Europe. In England its nest is usually placed in a hole in a wall, in a faggot stack, or an out-building, but the branches of trees trained against a wall are sometimes selected for its reception. A pair have also been known to build on the head of a garden-rake, which had been accidentally left standing near a cottage; another pair built in a bird-cage; but the most curious instances of caprice in this matter are those of two pairs of these birds which selected street lamp-posts for the purpose of nidification.

Among other foreign species are the PIED FLY-CATCHER, M. atricapilla, common in the south of Europe: called Bec-figue or Fig-Pecker by the French, because it catches insects on the fig-trees, and, it is said, eats the figs when ripe; the COLLARED FLY-CATCHER, M. albicollis, subject to very great changes of plumage; and the M. scita, an extremely small species of Southern Africa. The Crested Gobe Mouche of Buffon-M. coronata of Latham-is a handsome South American species, which is noted for catching butterflies which flutter around the cotton-plants.

There are several species of Fly-Catchers familiarly known in the United States; the PHOEBE-BIRD or PEWEE FLY-CATCHER, M. nunciola or M. fusca, visits us in summer from the south, its favorite haunts being by streams of water, under or near bridges, in caves, &c. Near such places he sits on a projecting twig, calling out, pe-wée, pe-wittitee, pe-wée, for a whole morning; darting after insects and returning to the same twig; frequently flirting his tail, like the wagtail, though not so rapidly. He is six and a half inches long, of a dusky olive above, lower parts a delicate yellow. On the top of the head the feathers form a loose crest, which is common to many of the family. Other species are the WOOD PEWEE, M. rapax or M. virens, greatly resembling the preceding the SHORT-LEGGED PEWEE FLY-CATCHER, M. phoebe, a rare species, found in Labrador and the Fur Countries: the GREENCRESTED FLY-CATCHER, M. querula, or M. acadica, a small species, keeping to the woods, and little known: the YELLOW-BELLIED FLY-CATCHER, M. flaviventris, found on Long Island: the ARKANSAS FLY-CATCHER, M. verticalis-the chlowu-ish-pil of the Chinnooks-resembling the kingbird in its habits, greenish-brown above and yellow beneath, with a bright red crest; found on the west of the Rocky Mountains: COOPER'S FLY-CATCHER, M. Cooperi, resembling the Pewees, and found in the Atlantic States from Texas to Maine: the ROCKY MOUNTAIN FLY-CATCHER, M. nigricans, seven inches long, dark sooty brown above and greenish-white below; found in California and Mexico: TRAILL'S FLY-CATCHER, M. Trailli, resembling the wood pewee, found on the Arkansas: the LEAST PEWEE, M. pusilla, five inches long, found in Labrador and the fur countries: the SMALL-HEADED FLY-CATCHER, M. minuta, found in the Southwestern States; and the AMERICAN REDSTART, M. ruticilla, a very lively and handsome species, six and a half inches long, variegated with red, brown and yellow; found throughout the United States.

THE PHOEBE BIRD.

The SAVANNAH FLY-CATCHER, M. Savana, is fourteen and a half inches long, including the tail,

which is deeply forked, and more than twice the length of the body; the back is ash-gray, the rump bluish-black, wings and tail brownish-black, lower parts white; found in the Southern States.

The SWALLOW-TAILED FLY-CATCHER, M. forficata, is eleven inches long, the tail long and forked; upper parts gray, lower parts white before and rose-colored behind. Other species are named as found in Texas, as follows: M. Saya, M. Texensis, M. Laurentii, M. fulvifrons, M. Derhami, M. belli, M. leucomus, M. Brasieri, M. rubifrons.

Genus PTILOGONYS: Ptilogonys.-This includes TOWNSEND'S PTILOGONYS, P. Townsendi, combining somewhat the qualities of the Fly-Catchers and Thrushes; it is eight inches long, of a dull brownish-gray color, and is found on the Columbia River: also the BLACK FLY-CATCHEr, P. nitens, figured by Cassin, seven and a half inches long, of a glossy black color, with greenish reflections; found in California, Mexico, &c.: the PIPIRY FLY-CATCHER, P. dominicensis, eight inches long, and resembling the kingbird; found in Florida.

Genus CULICIVORA: Culicivora.-This includes the BLUE-GRAY FLY-CATCHER OF GNATCATCHER, C. coerulea, about five inches long, and found abundantly in Texas.

Genus FLUVICOLA: Fluvicola.-This includes several South American species, as the F. comata, F. nigerrima, &c.

Genus MUSCIPETA: Muscipeta.-This includes the KING OF THE FLY-CATCHERS, the Todus regius of Latham, a superb South American species, with a tall transverse crest of reddish-fawn feathers; the body is a deep brown, the breast white spotted with brown. (See p. 123.)

Genus TCHITREA: Tchitrea.-This includes the PARADISE FLY-CATCHER of India, T. Paradisi, found in the jungles of India, and though its body is but six inches long, has a tail fourteen inches long; its head is also adorned with a crest.

There are many other species analogous to these we have described in Africa, Asia, and Australia, some having pleasing songs and some only chirping notes.

Genus ICTERIA: Icteria.-This includes the YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, I. viridis, seven inches long, greenish-olive above; throat and breast yellow; known as a summer visitor throughout the United States, and remarkable for the oddity of its motions and its singular notes, which sometimes resemble the cries of young puppies, and sometimes the mewing of a cat, these being often prolonged into the night.

THE TITYRINE OR BECARDS.

This is a small group of birds, closely allied to the fly-catchers, and peculiar to South America and the West Indies. They have a short bill, broad at the base, and suddenly compressed toward the tip. The GRAY BECARD-the Cayenne Shrike of Latham-Psaris Cayennensis-the type of Cuvier's genus Psaris-is generally gray, with the head, wings, and tail, black; it is found in Guiana.

The genus Langrayen or Ocypterus, consisting of species found in the Asiatic Isles, as well as the genus Artamia, the various species. of which are confined to the island of Sumatra, are placed by Le Maout contiguous to the Becards.

THE TYRANNINE OR TYRANT FLY-CATCHERS.

These are American birds, differing little from the true fly-catchers, except that they have the tip of the bill more strongly hooked; they also resemble the shrikes a good deal in their habits, preying not only upon insects and berries, but some of them also upon small vertebrate animals, including even fishes. Two species are well known in the United States.

Genus TYRANNUS:-Tyrannus.-The best known species is the KINGBIRD, T. intrepidus, eight inches long, of a slaty ash-color above and white beneath; on the head is a tuft of yellow feathers, capable of being erected into a crest, which circumstance, as well as the despotic authority he exercises over other birds, has given him the names of Kingbird and Tyrant Fly-Catcher. It arrives in small parties in the United States in the month of April; they then soon pair and begin to build their nests. Before very quiet, the male now becomes exceedingly quarrelsome; and such is his fierceness, that hawks and crows, the bald eagle, and even the great black eagle, dread a rencounter with the dauntless little champion. The kingbird feeds on insects, generally sitting on the tops of fences, posts, or mullein-stalks, till opportunity offers, when he darts upon his prey with infallible aim.

The CRESTED TYRANT, T. crinitus, is somewhat larger than the kingbird, and is found in the United States, from Texas northward; the color is greenish-olive above, and sulphur-yellow beneath; the throat and upper part of the breast ash-color; on the head, the dark brown feathers form a sort of crest.

The SPOON-BILL TYRANT, Lanius sulphuratus of Gmelin, found in Brazil, has a large, thick bill, a large head, the upper parts of the body a reddish-brown, the breast yellow, on the top of the head a yellow crest. It is found in Brazil, feeds on butterflies, and is popularly called Bemte-veo, from its habitual cry.

THE ALECTRURINE OR COCK-TAILS.

In these birds the bill is broad and depressed at the base, convex toward the point, which is more or less hooked; the nostrils are rounded and exposed; the tail is elongated, compressed, and capable of being raised in a very singular manner, which has caused these birds to be compared to Little Cocks, and the scientific name of Alectrurus applied to the typical genus may, perhaps, be translated Cock-tail. The tarsi are slender,

THE TRICOLORED ALECTRURUS.

and the toes armed with long, curved, and acute claws. These birds are peculiar to South America, and in their general habits resemble the fly-catchers. Many of them perch upon trees and bushes, and thence dash off into the air in pursuit of insects on the wing; others are never seen in the neigh borhood of woods, but appear to prefer fields in the vicinity of water, where they rest on the rushes and other aquatic plants. It is in the male only that the great development of the tail above alluded to is seen; the feathers of this part exhibit several peculiarities of structure. The two external feathers have the barbs much broader on one side than on the other, and the two central feathers, which are the most elongated, frequently have the barbs decomposed, and the termination of the shaft naked. They are small birds, the TRI-COLORED ALECTRURUS, A. tricolor, being only six inches long.

THE TURDIDÆ OR THRUSHES.

This family, the numerous species of which feed on insects, worms, and fruits, and usually move on the ground by hopping with both feet at once, includes several interesting and well-known groups, as the Bulbuls, Orioles, Babblers, True Thrushes, Ant-Thrushes, Warblers, Titlarks, BushCreepers, Titmice, Robins, Nightingales, Tailor-Birds, &c.

THE BULBULS.

These birds belong chiefly to India, though a few are found in Africa; their sprightliness renders them general favorites; several species are greatly admired as songsters; they inhabit woods, jungles, and gardens, and feed on fruits and seeds, and occasionally on insects. One species, the Pycnonotus jocosus, is easily tamed and taught to sit on its master's hand. Great numbers may

be seen in the bazaars of India. Another species, the Pycnonotus hæmorrhous, is kept for fighting. The under tail-coverts are red, and it is said the combatants endeavor to seize and pull out these feathers. The eggs are three to four in number, of a whitish color, with dark blotches.

THE ORIOLES.

These live in woods and shrubby places, usually in pairs, suspending their nests at the extremities of the branches of trees. The males are generally beautiful birds, a golden-yellow being the predominant color in their plumage. Their food consists of insects and fruits. They are, for the most part, inhabitants of tropical countries; but a single species, the GOLDEN ORIOLE, Oriolus Galbula, (see page 6,) migrates into Europe, in the southern parts of which it is abundant. It is of a bright yellow color, with the wings and tail black; the female is greenish-yellow above, and whitish beneath, with the wings and tail brown. It is about the size of our common robin. Its voice is loud, and has been compared to the sound of a flute; Bechstein says it resembles the word puhlo. The names given to the bird in different European languages are supposed to be, to a certain extent, imitations of its note. The Spaniards call it Turiol, the French Loriot, the English Oriole; and two of the German names are Pirol and Bülow.

The note of some of the Indian species is described as very similar to that attributed by Bechstein to the European bird. A nearly allied species, the MANGO-BIRD or GOLDEN ORIOLE of India, Oriolus Kundoo, is said to have a loud, mellow, plaintive cry, resembling pee-ho, and Mr. Pearson says of the BLACK-HEADED ORIOLE, O. melanocephalus, which is common in Bengal, that it has a monotonous, low note, resembling "one lengthened, full-toned note on the flute," which is so constantly repeated during the spring that it is a positive nuisance.

Most of the other species of the group resemble the golden oriole, both in character and habits; but one species, the REGENT-BIRD or KING HONEY-EATER, Sericulus chrysocephalus, of Australia, is remarkable for having the tip of the tongue terminated by a pencil of fine filaments like that of the honey-eaters, among which this bird has indeed been placed by some authors. The male is one of the most beautiful of Australian birds; its plumage, which is very glossy and satin-like, is variegated with two colors, deep black and brilliant yellow, the latter tinged with orange in some places. The female is dingy in its appearance. The Regent-Birds are found in the warmer parts of the Australian continent, where they inhabit the recesses of the forests, and appear to be exceedingly shy, feeding upon fruits and seeds. Our beautiful birds, the Baltimore and Orchard Orioles, belong to the Icterina, and will be noticed under that head.