24 



SINGIXG BIRDS — OSCINES. 



Tlie introduction of the Cat-bird, so well known to all tlic inhabitants of 

 the Eastern States, into the present work I'esults from its occurrence as a 

 common l>ird on tlie Columbia Eiver, wliere it was frequently met with 

 by the naturalists of the Xorthwestern J>oundary Survey. There, as else- 

 where, it inhahits low thickets or detached bushes ; making its nest of 

 strips of bark, twigs, roots, and such odd scraps as bits of rag, snake-slcin, 

 newsjiaper, etc. The eggs are four or live, and of a deep emerald green, 

 without spots. Their food consists of insects, worms, fruits, and berries. 

 The ordinary call-note resembles the mew of a cat, Ijiit it has a very agree- 

 able song, in some respects imitating the notes of other birds. (Baird.) 



Family CINCLID^. 



Ch.\r. General characters of Tunlidcc, ten primaries, of which the 

 first is very short, etc. ; the nostrils linear in lower edge of basal membrane. 

 Loral and frontal feathers soft and d<;iwiiy ; the mouth entirely without 

 bristles. Body ^•ery short and broad. "Wings short, rounded and concave. 



Genus CINCLUS, Bechstein. 



Cinchts, Bechsteix, Gemein. Natiirfj. 1802 (Agassiz). 



Hijdrobata, Vikillot, AiliIvsc, 1816 (Ag.). (Type, Sturnus cinchts, Lixn-., European.) 



Ge.v. Cii.vu. ]!ill ivitliimt any liristles at the base; slender, snbiilate ; the mandible 

 bent slightly upward ; the cuhuen slijjhtly concave to near the tip, which is much curved 



C. MexicamiS' 



