BECARDS. 



131 



made very compact: the lining consists of fine grass aud horsehair. The 

 eggs, which are usually five in number, are cream-coloured, with a few large 

 purple spots, and small pale brown markings, chiefly at the larger end. The 

 only song of this bird is a shrill twitter. His food consists principally of 

 insects, which he captures, sometimes by flying steadily over the fields, and 

 sometimes in the manner of the ordinary flycatcher, by taking his position 

 on the summit of a post or rail, and sweeping off after them as they pass. 



The typical form of this group of birds is — 



The Lizard-eater iSauropliagus lic/of), an inhabitant of intertropical 

 America. These birds may frequently be seen hovering in the air like a hawk, 

 watching a certain spot of ground in search of prey, and if unsuccessful, re- 

 moving to another place, which they investigate in the same manner, prepared 

 to seize upon any game that may offer itself. They may sometimes be met 

 with in the neighbourhood of water, where they remain stationary, ready to 

 catch any small fish which swims near the surface. 



Sub-Family IV. 



THE BECARDS. TITYRIN.l'.* 



General Characteristics. — Bill generally short, and broad at the base, with the 

 cuhnen slightly depressed, rounded, and cun'cd, and the sides suddenly compressed 

 to the tip, which is emarginated ; the nostrils lateral, rounded, and exposed ; the 

 wings long and pointed ; the tail short and rounded on the sides ; the tarsi short, 

 and covered in front with nairow scales ; the toes moderate, with the lateral ones 

 nearly equal ; the claws moderate, curved, and acute. 



The birds composing this sub-family are found in the Avarmer 

 parts of South America and the islands of the West Indies. 

 They migrate from place to place, and are usually seen perched 

 upon the highest branches of the lofty trees of the primeval 

 forests. Insects form their chief subsistence : these they capture 

 by short flights, and return again to the same perch to watch for 

 others passing within a certain* range. 



We extract from Mr. Gosse's charming work on the " Birds of 

 Jamaica " the following account of 



The White-backed Tityra {Tityra leuconotjis). "This species of 

 tityra is not uncommon in the mountain districts of Jamaica, where, from the 

 remarkable diversity in the appearance of the male and female, they arc dis- 

 tinguished by separate local names. The black male is known by the feminhie 

 appellation of Judy, while the chestnut-headed female receives the masculine 



" Tilyrc, tu patulse recubans sub tegmine/?^'," — m allosion to their sylvan habits. 



9 — 3 



