THE ALLIES OF THE PIGEON 



391 



may be specially ornamented. The bright colors of the male 

 are generally believed to be due to sexual selection, and his 



Fig. 206. Photograph of nest and eggs of catbird 



ability to sing is accounted for in a similar manner. The 

 perching birds are the familiar birds of forest, field, and gar- 

 den, and are those with 

 which the young stu- 

 dent will naturally be- 

 gin his study in the 

 field. They are so nu- 

 merous that very few 

 can be referred to here. 

 The flycatchers (Ty- 

 ran'nidae Fig. 208) are 



pert little birds with a Fig. 207. Recently hatched young of catbird 

 slightly hooked bill, 



provided with bristles at its base. From some convenient 

 perch they watch for insects, which they snap at on the 

 wing, returning to the perch after each flight. The bristles 



