FEINGILL1DJ5. 259 



ap23roac4iiiig the noise made by tlie sliarpening of a 

 saw. They feed on grains, buds, and insects. They 

 are generally of moderate size, about equalling the 

 Bullfinch in their dimensions. In order to enable 

 them to obtain their food, the margins of the upper 

 mandible are finely toothed. 



The type of this sub-family — 



The Chilian Plant-cutter {Phytotoma rara), is rather a 

 large species, being equal to a thrush in its dimensions. It 

 is a common bird in its native country, and is most 

 destructive to the crops. It is very fond of sprouting 

 corn, and, not content with eating the gi-een blades, it 

 seems to find such pleasure in the exercise of its bill, that 

 it cuts down hundreds of stalks, as if in mere wantonness, 

 and leaves the green stems strewed upon the ground. On 

 account of these destructive propensities, it is greatly 

 persecuted by the agriculturists, who assiduously shoot 

 and trap it ; and further aid in its extermination by 

 setting a price on its head, giving a certain sum to any one 

 who will bring in a dead bird. The nest is made on the 

 summit of a tree, and in some very retired situation ; so 

 that, in spite of all the persecution which it meets with, 

 the Plant-cutter still holds its ground against the farmers. 

 Its cry is rough, and resembles the name Eara, given to 

 it by the inhabitants of Chili. 



