348 ZOOLOGY. 



wide at base, depressed ; wings moderate ; tail generally short and trun- 

 cate ; tarsi short, toes long. Colors gay ; size various. 



The majority of these birds inhabit South America, and are remarkable 

 for the richness of the colors of their plumage. They feed on fruits and 

 insects, and migrate according to the season. The blue chatterer {Ampelis 

 ccendea), the banded chatterer, A. cortinga {pi. 101, fig. 21), and the 

 purple chatterer {A. pompadora), are frequently met with, as is also 

 a beautiful scarlet-crested species, A. carnifix {fig. 20). 



The Bohemian chatterer of Europe {Bomhycilla garrula), and the cedar 

 bird of America {B. cedrorum), belong to this sub-family. The former 

 species is found in the forests of Northern Europe and also in the northern 

 parts of America. The latter, which is the cedar bird of the united 

 States, frequents cedar woods and such localities throughout this country. 

 This and the other species of the same genus have very fine silky plumage 

 of deep ashy color, and are remarkable for the curious appendages to the 

 tips of their wing feathers, which have much the appearance of small drops 

 of red sealing-wax. 



Sub'fam. 4. Campephagince, or Caterpillar^catchers. Bill short, de- 

 pressed, gape furnished with short bristles ; wings moderate ; tail rather 

 long ; tarsi and feet short. 



About sixty birds compose this group, which are distributed over the 

 tropical regions of the old and new worlds. Many of the Indian species 

 are very showy birds, with bright scarlet plumage, living in the recesses of 

 the forests, and disposed to hide themselves when approached. At least 

 thirty of the species are restricted to the Indian islands and lo Australia. 

 Others have plain grey or ashy plumage, such as Campephaga nigra and 

 melanops, which are frequently seen in collections. 



Siib-fam. 5. Dicrurince, or Drongo Shrikes. Bill rather lengthened, 

 broad at base, curved, gape with strong bristles; wings long; tarsi and 

 feet short and strong ; tail frequently long and forked. Size larger than 

 the preceding. Colors frequently black. 



This sub-family is composed of about forty birds, strictly confined to 

 Asia and Africa. 



The location of this sub-family here is of very doubtful accuracy, as the 

 affinities of the birds composing it are evidently more to the family imme- 

 diately succeeding. 



A genus {Artamus) composed of ten or twelve species is arranged here. 

 They are called swallow shrikes on account of their having long, swallow- 

 like wings. They principally inhabit India, and are commonly observed in 

 pursuit of insects on the wing. 



The drongo shrikes {Dicrurus) are mostly rather large birds of perfectly 



black plumage, with the tail long and deeply forked. They exclusively 



inhabit India and Africa. The Malabar shrike {D. malaharicus), and the 



forked-tailed drongo, D.forficalus {pi. 102, fig. 15), are frequent species. 



The hooked-bill shrike, Vauga curvirostris {pi. 102, fig. 17), belongs 



here. 



Fam. 5. Laniid^, or Shrikes. Bill rather long, very strong and 



552 



