94 



THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 



but almost all feed the young chiefly on insects 

 and such-like, whatever the adult diet may be. 



Gait. — Generally a hop, but some ground-feeding 

 forms, and the aerial Swallows, walk ; some, as 

 the large Thrushes, both walk and hop ; most species 

 move very actively among boughs, and all can 

 perch on occasion. The Dippers (Cinclus) can 

 swim and dive. 



Flight. — Generally undulating and very characteristic, 

 the wings being alternately closed, causing a 

 drop, and then rapidly moved ; but the large 

 species flap regularly. The neck is drawn in and 

 the feet tucked up in front during flight. 



Note. — Extremely varied, and often very melodious, 

 nearly all singing-birds belonging to this family ; 

 many have great imitative powers, and exercise 

 these even in a wild state, while some can be taught 

 to talk when tamed, such as the Starlings. 



Disposition and General Habits. — They are the 

 liveliest and most active of all birds, and often 

 very intelligent ; some are solitary, others 

 social ; most keep near cover. Many are pugna- 

 cious ; in fighting they do not use the wings, only 

 grappling with the claws and pecking. 



Economic Qualities. — Most are useful insect- 

 destroyers, especially so as, being chiefly perchers, 

 they feed on insects other birds do not reach ; 

 some seed- and fruit-eating species are often 

 destructive, but the former do good also by 

 destroying seeds of weeds. Some are used as 

 food — many, indeed, on the Continent. 



Captivity. — Most cage birds, other than parrots, 

 belong to this family ; but they are not very free 

 breeders in captivity as a rule, and only three 

 species have been domesticated, all Finches — 

 the Canary {Serinus canaria), the Java Sparrow 

 {Munia oryzivora), and the Sharp- tailed Finch or 



