THE ANT-THRUSH. 233 



The nest of the Tree Pipit is almost invariably placed on the ground under the shelter of 

 a tuft of grass, although there are instances where the bird has been known to build in a very 

 low bush. The materials of which the nest is made are moss, roots, and fine grasses, and the 

 lining is mostly of hair. The eggs are five in number, and their color is a whitish ground 

 covered with reddish-brown spots. There is considerable variation in the color of the eggs, 

 the spots being larger and more numerous in some examples, and their color generally pos- 

 sessing different shades of purple intermixed with brown. 



The Tree Pipit may be known from the meadow Pipit by its greater size, its flatter head, 

 larger bill, and shorter hind claws, the last being a very notable distinction. In its general 

 coloring it resembles the meadow Pipit. Besides these two species, others are known to be 

 among the European birds, as the Rock Pipit (Anthus aquaticus), and the Richard's Pipit 

 (Anthus richardi). 



THRUSHES. 



THE very large family of the THRESHES now engages our attention. Many of these birds 

 are renowned for their song, and some of them are remarkable for their imitative powers. In 

 general shape there is some resemblance to the crows and the starlings and blackbirds, bearing 

 a very great external resemblance to the common starling. This family is divided into five 

 sub-families, all of which will be mentioned in the following pages, and many examples 

 figured. 



THE ANT-THRUSHES, so called from their ant-eating propensities, form a small but 

 remarkable group of birds, differing greatly in color and dimensions, but bearing considerable 

 resemblance to each other in their general form. Some species are almost as sombrely clad in 

 black, brown, and white, as the common Thrush, while the plumage of others glows with a 

 crystalline lustre of animated prismatic hues, as in the black-headed Pitta (P. melanocephala), 

 or is gorgeous with the brightest scarlet, blue, and purple, as in the crimson-headed Brachyure 

 (P. granaticd). All the species, however, bear, in external form, a considerable resemblance 

 to each other, being thick-set, big-bodied, large-headed, long-legged, short-tailed, and strong- 

 billed. 



These birds may be separated into two divisions, the Breves and the Ant-Thrushes ; the 

 former being found in India, the Indian Islands, and Australia, while the latter inhabit 

 America as well as the Old World. 



In whatever part of the world they may be situated, they are most useful birds, as with- 

 out their assistance the ants which swarm in those lands would increase to a most baneful 

 extent. In allusion to this subject Mr. Swainson makes the following pertinent remarks : 

 " Of all the tribes of insects which swarm in the tropics, the ants are the most numerous ; they 

 are the universal desolators, and in the dry and overgrown parts of the interior, the traveller 

 can scarcely proceed five paces without treading upon their nests. To keep these myriads 

 within due limits, a wise Providence has ordered into existence the Ant-thrushes, and given 

 to them this particular food. Both are proportionate in their geographical range, as far 

 beyond the tropical latitudes the ants suddenly decrease, and their enemies the Myiotheriae 

 (/. e., the ant-eating creatures) totally disappear." 



It must, however, be remembered, that the ants themselves are of the greatest service in 

 removing and devouring all dead animal substances, and that the great object of the Ant- 

 Thrush is not to extirpate, but to keep within due bounds the insects which might otherwise 

 become absolutely harmful to the bird which is so greatly benefitted by their presence in mod- 

 erate numbers. 



THE great ANT-THRTJSH, which is also called the GIANT PITTA, or the GIANT BREVE, in 

 allusion to its large dimensions, is a native of Surinam, and on account of its bright plumage, 



VOL. H. 30. 



