DEGLUBITORES. HUSKERS. 315 



The feathers, properly so called, are inserted on the head all 

 round ; on an elevated line along the back of the neck, expand- 

 ing on the back, and continued to the rump-gland ; on a simi- 

 lar line down the fore part of the neck, at the middle of which 

 it forks, each division becoming broader as it passes along the 

 side of the breast, and narrowing near the abdomen, on vrhich 

 it terminates before the anus ; on a narrow line coming off from 

 that on the fore-neck, and running along the edge of the wing, 

 then crossing the humerus, and extending a short w^ay along 

 the side of the back, where it is broader ; on both sides of the 

 wing, there being above a band composed of the smaller upper 

 wing-coverts, and a line of upper large coverts, below a nar- 

 rower band of smaller lower coverts, and line of large lower 

 coverts ; on a line from the knee-joint above, laterally to near 

 the rump ; on a small transverse space above, and on another 

 beneath the tail. The ears and anus are also margined with 

 a distinct circle. 



The down-feathers cover the intervals between these feathered 

 spaces ; and all the surfaces from which the feathers come oif 

 are interspersed with very slender hairs, which are penicillate 

 at the tip. 



Birds of this order occur in all parts of the globe, but are 

 more numerous in the temperate than in the tropical regions. 

 They are generally gregarious after the breeding season, and 

 feed for the most part on seeds, which they deprive, by means 

 of the sharp edges of the bill, of their outer covering or peri- 

 carp, whence the name HusJcei^s given to the order. INIany of 

 them however feed also on berries and fruits of various kinds ; 

 and the larger species of the family Icterinae eat also worms 

 and various other matters, approaching in this respect, as well 

 as in appearance, to the Corvinte. Their mode of progression 

 on the ground is generally by a succession of short leaps, and 

 on trees they cling with ease to the twigs, some of them being 

 more arboreal than terrestrial. Their flight is rapid, light, and 

 sustained, generally undulating, or performed by successive 

 bounds. They are fond of basking in the sun, whether on 

 trees or on the ground ; and in dry weather may be seen flut- 

 tering among dust or sand, which they throw up about them- 



