442 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. 



COTINGAS. (Ampelis. Lin.) 



In this family of birds the bill is short, somewhat depressed, 

 higher than it is wide, hard, solid, triangular at the base, compress- 

 ed and notched at the point, a little convex above, and somewhat 

 abruptly reflected at the point. Nostrils basal, lateral, rounded, 

 half way closed by a membrane, and thinly covered by the advanc- 

 ing hairs of the face. The feet of moderate size ; the tarsus about 

 the length, or shorter than the middle toe, the lateral toe united to 

 the adjoining up to the 2d joint. Wings moderate in size, the 1st 

 quill not so long as the 2d, which is the longest. 



These birds are remarkable for the brilliance of their plumage, and 

 with the exception of our Blue-Bird, are peculiar to the warmer 

 parts of America. Inhabiting the tropics, their migrations are con- 

 fined to a narrow compass. They appear in numbers twice a year 

 in the vicinity of habitations, but in the breeding season associate 

 only in pairs. They frequent the borders of rivulets and marshes, 

 and live much on insects, particularly the destructive Termes. They 

 also frequent the rice fields, devouring the grain probably while in 

 the unripe state ; they also feed on fruits. The Pampadour builds 

 in large trees on the borders of rivers, and selects the higher branches, 

 but does not dwell in the great forests. The Guiraroo utters a some- 

 what disagreeable cry. Our bird is also related to the section Saxi- 

 COL-s: of Tardus, and particularly to the Blue Thrush, which it so 

 much resembles in color. This bird like ours has sometimes the same 

 habit of nesting in hollow trees, and lays even pale greenish, spotless 

 eggs ; more commonly however, it quits its wild retreats in the 

 mountains, selecting an elevated tower or steeple for its nest ; and 

 here the male passes much of his time in song, daring the period of 

 incubation. His tones are rather tender and plaintive ; while thus 

 employed his lively emotions display themselves in action, he rises 

 upw^ards, erects the feathers of his head, spreads his tail, and flutters 

 with his wings. They are also daring in the defence of their young ; 

 arrive in the warmer parts of Europe in April, departing at the close 

 of August, and like our Blue-Bird, they faithfully return to the same 

 place where they have once taken up their residence : they are en- 

 deared and venerated even to superstition by the inhabitants. The 

 greater length of the bill, which is however of the same general form, 

 opposes its artificial association with our Blue-Bird, though its man- 



