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a Marigold, or some beautiful little syngenesious jlower ; the predominant colour 

 of that class, no less than of the crests that represent them, being different shades of 

 yellow. Now, it is a circumstance no less singular than remarkable, in conjunc- 

 tion with what we shall presently state, that of between fifty and sixty birds pos- 

 sessing this sort of crest, every one is purely insectivorous, that is, living entirely 

 upon insects, which are caught, not by hunting, but are seized only on their near 

 approach. We have frequently had occasion to advert to the fact that all the 

 tyrant flycatchers of Brazil never pursue their prey, or go out in search of it, by 

 wandering about from tree to tree, like other birds. They take their station on a 

 particular branch, and there patiently wait, like a Spider on its web, for such in- 

 sects as come within range of a sudden dart. It is to this family of birds that 

 the crests we have been describing are almost entirely restricted. We have fre- 

 quently seen the Bentevi of Brazil, the most familiar as well as common species 

 in that country, open and shut his fine yellow crest when merely occupied in 

 watching for insects. This fact, joined with the considerations already mentioned, 

 has more than once suggested to us the idea that these flower-like ornaments are 

 occasionally used as snares to attract the attention of insects, so as to bring them 

 within reach of being captured by a sudden dart." 



This is curious and interesting, but Mr. Swainson omits to state what might, 

 perhaps, throw a greater light on the subject — the trees principally frequented by 

 these flycatchers, and the colour of their flowers. We should know this before 

 we positively decide that the insects mistake the gold-coloured crests for flowers, 

 particularly as syngenesious flowers, to which the crests are compared, do not 

 grow upon trees, nor do trees produce them. We had marked various interesting 

 passages for quotation on the sight, tongue, feet, and voice of birds, strikingly 

 illustrative of the harmony perceptible in every department of nature, and the as- 

 sociation of one tribe of beings with another ; but as we may have another oppor- 

 tunity to dilate on these subjects we proceed to notice the second division of Mr. 

 Swainson's work, because suggestions arise there that we may not have a legiti- 

 mate opportunity of remarking upon again. We would just mention, en passant, 

 the observation that " the powers of voice are certainly greater in birds, when their 

 size is considered, than in any other class of animals, or even in man. This fact 

 is established by experience and by comparative anatomy : we know that the crow- 

 ing of a Cock may be heard at a far greater distance than the shout of a man, even 

 had he the lungs of a Stentor ; and it may be even questioned whether the same 

 remark may not be applicable to the full and sonorous warbling of the Thrush." 



Mr. Swainson's remarks on the progress of ornithological science are very ju- 

 dicious, and deserve the particular attention of the student. His observations on 

 ornithological bibliography are also deserving of notice, though here, we conceive, 

 he has fallen into an error. On the very point where information would have 

 been desirable he fails to give it, merely remarking that, " in regard to European 



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