ANT- THR USEES. 1 1 5 



away. Neither does their selection of a locaHty seem to depend 

 at all upon the nature of their regimen, seeing that they might 

 alm.ost be called omnivorous — insects, snails, fruits, and berries 

 being equally acceptable to their craving appetite. Their activity 

 when in search of food, especially during times of scarcity, is re- 

 markable ; and such is their voracity, when provided with abun- 

 dance of suitable aliment, that in eight-and-forty hours some 

 species, previously in poor condition, will grow quite fat. Many 

 of them possess great power of song. 



This family includes the Ant-Thrushes, the Thrushes, the Bab- 

 blers, the Orioles, and the Bulbuls. 



Sub-Family I. 

 THE ANT-THRUSHES. FORMICARIN/E. 



General Characteristics. — Bill more or less long and straight, with the culmen 

 curved to the tip, which is emargmated and sometimes slightly hooked, the sides 

 compressed, and the gonys moderate and ascending; the nostrils lateral, placed in 

 a membranous groove, with the frontal plumes projecting to the opening, which is 

 exposed ; the wings generally rather short and rounded ; the tail more or less short, 

 and usually rounded , the tarsi rather long, and mostly covered in front with slightly 

 divided scales ; the toes long and slender, with the outer toe longer than the inner, 

 and more or less united at the base. 



These birds inhabit the tropical portions of America, where 

 they are usually seen on the ground, or on the trunks of trees, on 

 which they support themselves by means of their tails, searching 

 for ants and other kinds of insects. 



The Ant-Thrushes are so called from their ant -eating propen- 

 sities : they form a small but remarkable group of birds, differing 

 greatly in colour and dimensions, but resembling each other con- 

 siderably in their general form. Some species are sombrely clad 

 in black, brown, and white, while the plumage of others is adorned 

 with the brightest scarlet, blue, and purple. 



The Garnet-coloured Pitta {Piffa oranatina) is found in India and 

 the neighbouring islands, and also in Western Africa. These birds frequent 

 the jungles and thick bushes, and, in India, sometimes visit the gardens and 

 cultivated districts. Their food consists of insects and worms, which they 

 usually seek lor on the ground by scratching among the fallen leaves ; they 

 are believed also occasionally to feed upon berries and fruits. They seem to 

 prefer the neighbourhood of water, and are seen wading up to their knees in 



8—2 



