TIMALIN^E. 61 



more ; even in the breeding season the parent birds feeding in 

 company with their former companions. One may be seen sud- 

 denly dropping to the ground from some tree, and is followed in 

 succession, though perhaps not immediately, by each of the flock. 

 They hop about, turning over fallen leaves, and examining all the 

 herbage around the base of trees, a very favorite spot, or on a 

 hedge side, never venturing to any distance from cover, being 

 aware of their tardy powers of flight. They are occasionally seen 

 seeking insects or grain, from heaps of dung, whence they have 

 received their common denomination, as well from the French 

 (Fouille merde) as from the English (Dirt-bird), who are on this 

 account prejudiced against them. They generally feed at some 

 little distance apart from each other, but now and then, if a richer 

 prize than usual is spied out, two or more will meet and struggle 

 for it ; and now and then one of them will make a clumsy flight 

 after a grasshopper seeking safety by its wings, and not unfre- 

 quently eluding its awkward pursuer. On being driven from the 

 ground, or leaving it from clioicc, their hunger being satisfied, 

 they fly up to the nearest tree, hopping and climbing up the larger 

 branches, and if you happen to be watching them they do not stop 

 till they have reached the top, or the opposite side, whence they 

 fly off in single and extended file as before. They often appear to 

 pick insects off the branches of trees. They are familiar, if un- 

 disturbed,, feeding often close to houses, but if watched or followed, 

 they become circumspect, disperse, and hide themselves. Their cry 

 is a loud sibilous or whispering sort of chatter, which they repeat 

 all at once, sometimes when feeding, or when any unusual sight 

 attracts their attention, and often without any apparent object at 

 all. They have no song. Their flight is slow and laborious, per- 

 formed by a few rapid strokes of the wings alternating with a sail- 

 ing with outspread pinions. I have often found the nest of this 

 bird, which is composed of small twigs and roots, carelessly and 

 loosely put together, in general at no great height from the ground ; 

 it lays three or four blue eggs. I have found them breeding at all 

 times from January to July, and even later, but do not know if 

 they ever have two broods in the year. The black and white 

 crested Cuckoo, {Coccystes melanoleiicos) appears to select this bird 



