WARBLERS. 



FAMILY I. 



THE WARBLERS. LUSCINID/E. 



General Characteristics.— Bill subulate, more or less slender and straight, with 

 the upper mandible curved and emarginated, the base sometimes broad, but the bill 

 always compressed towards the tip ; the nostrils basal, and placed in a membranous 

 groove, with the opening exposed ; the wings more or less long, sometimes rounded 

 and sometimes pointed ; the tail of various lengths, tnmcated at the end, or rounded, 

 and sometimes graduated ; the tarsi more or less long, always slender ; the toes 

 varying in length, with the outer toe more or less united to the middle toe. 



In these birds the sides of the upper mandible are but slightly 

 toothed ; the wings are long, the tarsi slender, and the toes termi- 

 nated by claws of moderate length. They are for the most part 

 distinguished for great power of song. Their food consists almost 

 entirely of insects and worms, so that those which inhabit cold 

 and temperate regions are for the most part migratory. 



To this family belong the Soft-tailed Warblers, the Warblers, 

 the Robins, the Accentors, the Titmice, the Wagtails, and the 

 Wood- Warblers. 



Sub-Family I. 



THE SOFT-TAILED WARBLERS. MALURIN/E.* 



General Characteristics.— Bill moderate, more or less slender and straight, with 

 the tip of the upper mandible curved, and sometimes emarginated, the sides com- 

 pressed ; the nostrils basal, and placed in a membranous groove, with the opening 

 exposed ; wings short and rounded ; tail more or less lengthened and rounded ; 

 tarsi generally long and slender ; toes more or less long, and always slender, with 

 the outer toe united to the middle one at the base, the hind toe long and armed 

 with a strong claw. 



These elegant birds generally frequent open spaces scattered 

 over with low brushwood or bushes, especially in the vicinity of 

 rivers; but in the winter season they fearlessly approach the abode 

 of man. They are usually seen on the ground in pairs or s*mall 

 flocks, moving rapidly from place to place by a series of bound- 

 ing hops, or prying about in search of insects upon or beneath the 

 fallen trunks of trees. Their flight is feeble and only extends 

 over short distances. 



* juaXXos, mallos, luool : oiipd, oura, the tail: soft-tailed. 



