PERCHING-BIRDS. 119 
included in the genus Cinclus, the most familiar is the Common Dipper 
(C. aquaticus) (20017), which frequents the more rapid rocky streams in 
the British Islands and ranges eastwards over Central and Western 
Kurope. 
Family IX. Mrurpa#. Mockine-sirps. 
The Mocking-birds are an American family allied to the Thrushes 
and ranging over the greater part of the New World. The young are 
mottled, as in the 7urdide. Some, like the Common Mocking-bird 
(Mimus polyglottus) (2014) of the eastern United States, are famous not 
only for their powers of mimicry, but for the brilliant execution of their 
natural song, which is rich and varied. Another well-known songster 
is the Cat-Bird (Galeoscoptes carolinensis) (2017), which, in addition to 
its attractive song, utters mewing sounds. Leconte’s Thrasher ( Harpo- 
rhynchus lecontet) (2026) haunts more arid situations than the species 
already mentioned, but, like them, places its large nest of sticks, &., in 
some low tree or thorny bush. The only brightly coloured member of 
the family is the Rose-breasted Rhodinocichla rosea (2022), found in 
Colombia and Venezuela. 
Family X. Turpipa. 'Turususs. 
The Thrushes, Redstarts, and Chats form a very large family distri- 
buted over the whole world and include a number of familiar species, 
many of them being splendid songsters and favourite cage-birds. Un- 
like their allies, the Warblers, they have no spring moult, and the 
young in their first plumage differ from the adult and are always pro- 
fusely spotted. Many species are migratory. Some of the Thrushes 
are met with at great elevations, reaching altitudes of 17,000 feet in 
some latitudes. They feed chiefly on insects and worms, most of their 
food being procured on the ground, but they are also partial to fruit. 
Of the nine subfamilies recognised, the first, Myiedestine, includes a 
number of American forms of somewhat uncertain affinities. The 
beautiful species of Cochoa (2034), from the Indo-Chinese countries, 
represeut the second subfamily. Of the Zurdine or True Thrushes, a 
number appear on the British List, the Song-Thrush (2060), Mistle- 
Thrush (2058), Blackbird (2086), and Ring-Ouzel (2056) being breeding- 
species ; the Red-wing (2062) and Fieldfare (2054) regular visitors ; 
and the Siberian (2065), Black-throated (2055), Dusky (2055 a), White’s 
(2045), and Rock- (2063) Thrushes, accidental stragglers. Our common 
Hedge-Sparrow (decentor modularis) (2066) is a resident and the 
Alpine Accentor (d. collaris) (2067) an occasional visitor to Britain, and 
[Case 73.] 
[Case 74,] 
