344 ZOOLOGY. 



do not belong here. The black-headed oriole, 0. melanocephalus, is one 

 of the most common Indian species. Its plumage is fine yellow, with the 

 head black. 



One of the most beautiful of this group is the golden-headed oriole, Seri- 

 cuius chrysoceplialus, of AustraUa. Its plumage is of the most splendid 

 golden yellow and black. It is frequently met with in collections of birds, 

 and sold by dealers as a species of paradise bird. It appears to be a com- 

 mon bird in Australia. 



Suh-fmn. 5. Pycnonotince, or Bulbuls. Bill short, curved, compressed ; 

 wings moderate, rather short, rounded ; tail long, broad, rather rounded ; 

 tarsi long ; feet moderate, rather short and weak. Size small ; head fre- 

 quently crested. 



A small group, composed of about seventy-five species of birds, which 

 exclusively inhabit Asia and Africa. They appear to have the general 

 characters of the other groups of thrushes, live mostly in small parties, and 

 feed indiscriminately upon fruits and insects. The Asiatic species are 

 frequently remarkable for eminent vocal powers ; and one of them, Pycno- 

 notus jocosus, is the Eastern nightingale, or bulbul, of oriental poets. It is 

 a bird scarcely as large as the cat bird of the United States, of plain brown 

 on the back, and white below, with a black head and crest. Its song is 

 said to be very melodious. 



There are a number of birds belonging to this sub-family, and nearly 

 related to the bulbuls, which are found in Africa. 



Fam. 3. MuscicAPiDiE, OR FLYCATcnERS. Bill of various lengths, gene- 

 rally broad and depressed at the base, with the sides compressed at the tip ; 

 gape usually furnished with long and strong bristles ; wings and tail gene- 

 rally long ; tarsi and feet generally short and weak. Size various, never 

 very large, frequently quite small. 



A large family of birds, generally of small size and plain plumage, which 

 are found in every country of the world. They most abound, however, 

 within the tropics. 



There are about five hundred and fifty species of flycatchers. 



Suh-fam. 1. QuerulincB, or Mourning Flycatchers. Bill rather long, 

 depressed, broad at base ; gape furnished with strong bristles ; wings more 

 or less lengthened ; tail long and broad ; tarsi and feet short and strong. 

 Size rather large. 



Containing only eight or ten birds, found in South America. They 

 inhabit the forests, and are mostly observed in small parties, feeding on 

 insects or fruits in the loftiest trees, and are said to have very plaintive 

 notes. 



The red-necked flycatcher, Querula ruhricollis, is the best known species. 

 Its plumage is fine black, with a scarlet throat. The military flycatcher, 

 Q. militaris, is another very showy species, though more rare. Its plumage 

 is of fine scarlet. 



Suh-fam. 2. Alectrurince, or Walking Flycatchers. Bill more or less 

 lengthened, broad at base, and rather depressed ; wings more or less long ; 

 tail generally lengthened ; tarsi long and slender. Size small. 

 548 



