15: 



DENTIROSTRES. 



;SUB-FAMILY II. 



TURDIX.E. 



TJie Tkruslies i^Toper. 



Gen. Cuahac. — Bill moderate, compressed at the point, upper mandible 

 notched and bending over the lower one ; gape furnished with a few bristles ; 

 nostrils basal, lateral, oval, partly covered with a naked membrane ; tarsus 

 longer than the middle toe ; wings and tail moderate, first primary very 

 short or almost abortive, second shorter than the third or fourth, which arc 

 the longest. 



Fig. 62. — the misstjl thetjsh. 

 ( Tardus viscivorns. ) 



The true Thrushes are inferior to the Shrikes in 

 the structure of theii' bill, which is much less toothed ; 

 their feet, however, are stronger, and as much adnpted 

 for walking as for perching. The Blackbird and the 

 Fieldfare are familiar examples of this perfection of 

 structure. They make their way upon the ground, 

 on trees, or in the air, with equal facility. The form 

 of their bill shows a superior adaptation for general 

 purposes ; the notch near the point is much slighter 

 than in the Shrikes, yet it is sufficient to enable 

 them to retain a firm hold of their prey, while the 



