TlfF, ir.Y-C.\TCHER3. 



161 



are short, and the tail somewhat forked. Those birds feed principally on caterpillars and 

 larva;. 



The Laniits Sulphtirafim is a native of America. The beak is pointed, large, and sharp 

 at the edges ; the head, and the top of the neck, the back, the wings, and the tail, are 

 of a reddish brown ; the throat is white, and also a line above the eye ; the head is 

 crowned by an orange mark. 



The Mtiacicapa AlhicoUk is another interesting member of this family. It may be 

 found in the temperate districts of Europe, where it perches on the summit of a tree 

 in the forests and orchards, w'hence it pursues the insects which form its food. The 

 female builds among bushes, and lays four or five eggs of a greenish white colour, spotted 

 with red. This bird is distinguished by its summer dress, which makes it appear as if it 

 had a white collar round its neck. 



This species is closely allied with the pied fly-catcher,* a bird which is rarely found in 

 Britain, except iu certain localities. It is very abundant in France, Italy, and along the 

 shores of the Mediterranean, and when it visits Britain it seems to be most plentiful 

 in the vicinity of the Cumberland and Westmoreland lakes. It breeds in the holes of 

 decayed oaks or pollards, laying sometimes as many as eight eggs, and is very noisy if 

 its retreat be approached. The nest is a loose assemblage of roots and grass, with a few 

 leaves, bents, and hair. 



Tlie Todii-s Reyitis is a remarkable bird. A crest of a fine red bay colour, edged \\{\\i 

 black, crowns the front. The upper parts of the body are of a deep brown, tlie under 

 parts red, and the throat white ; tlio beak and feet are white. 



THE TODUS RKGirS. 



The Jfiiifcirajya Coronata of Latham is rather curious than beautiful. It has a crest 

 upon the top of its head sloping back over the neck. It frequents the cotton jDlautations, 

 where it pursues the butterflies which come to seek the honey of the flowers ; and 

 perched on the extremity of a branch, it waits with quiet vigilance till its prey appears, 

 when it darts upon it with great swiftness of flight. The upper part of the body is 

 brown, the lower part a fine red, as also is the crest upon the head. 



* Muscicapa Luctiiosa. — Penn. 



M 



