oCA 



PASSEEINES. 



they also feed ou flies and the larvpe of insects. They diifer from 

 the preceding hinds both in their habitat and in the more sombre 

 colour of their plumage. The Cotingas are only met with in 

 America ; and the Caterpillar-eaters are not found except in 

 Southern Africa and the Indian Archipelago. 



The Chatterers (Ampelidce) are sociable birds, living together 

 in flocks the whole of the year, except during the breeding season. 

 They feed on buds, berries, and insects ; they even catch flies on 

 the wing. They are, nevertheless, extremely indolent, and do not 

 move about more than is necessary to satisfy the requirements 

 of appetite. The greater part of their time they remain hid in 

 the recesses of woods, and are rarely seen ; they settle little on 

 the ground, for their gait is awkward and constrained. Not 



■, Y/ 



Fig. 266.— Bohemiau Waxwing {Ampelis garrulus, Wood). 



endowed, properly speaking, with aiij powers of song, their only 

 utterance is a feeble twittering, which, in some species, is ver}^ 

 prolonged. The Bohemian Waxwing is noisy at all seasons ; 

 imd this is probably the origin of the name Chatterer, which is 

 given to the whole genus. They are tamed with great facility, 

 and, as they are adorned with a brilliant plumage, they are often 

 reared in cages. These birds are found in Europe, North America, 

 and Japan. 



The European species (Fig. 266) breeds in northern countries. 



