T 48 B UTCHER-BIRDS. 



they would scarcely take the trouble to rise above the bushes that 

 He in their course. Their note is remarkable, commencing in so 

 low a tone that it sounds as if at a considerable distance, and then 

 gradually increases in volume until it seems to be over the head 

 of the wondering listener — the bird that utters it being all the 

 while on the dead branch of a tree, perhaps not more than three 

 or four yards distant — its motionless attitude rendering its detec- 

 tion very difficult. 



The type of this sub-family is — 



The Long-tailed Butcher-Bird {Laidus colliirid). 



^ 





Fig. 78. — The Long-tailed Butchek-L!ird (La/iius coUuno). 



^^<^ ' %^__^^^>/ 



Sub-Fmnily II. 

 THE BUSH SHRIKES. THAMNOPHILIN.E. 



G: NERAL CHARACTERISTICS. — Bill more Or less lengthened, compressed on the sides ; 

 ciilmen straight but arched, hooked, and emarginated at the tip ; the gape more or 

 less bristled ; the nostrils basal, lateral, and mostly rounded ; the wings moderate and 

 more or less rounded ; the tail usually long and rounded ; the tarsi moderate and 

 covered with broad scales ; the toes moderate, the lateral ones unequal, and the 

 outer toe united to the middle one at the base. 



Most of these birds inhabit the tropical parts of America, yet 

 a few of the species extend northwards as far as Canada. They 



