AGRICULTURAL ORNITHOLOGY. 295 



4. E.Jfavhcntris, (Bd.,) yelloTv -bellied fly-catclier. Summer resident, fre 

 quent ; insectivorous. All the species of tins genus — indeed all the family — 

 possess similar habits. We can hardly walk out on a summer day without 

 seeing some of them perched on a fence stake or dead bough intently watch- 

 ing for their prey, and woe betide the insect, whether beetle, moth, or fly, 

 which may dare to show itself either on the ground or wing. The feat accom- 

 plished, they return to the same perch to await the appearance of other prey 

 Surely no observer can be so obtuse as not to appreciate the service thus ren- 

 dered. 



XI. FA>nLY TUROIN.E, (TITE THRUSIFES.) 



36. Genus Turdus, (Linn., 1735.) 



1. T. mustelinus, (Gmel., 1738,) wood thrush. Summer resident, common; 

 omnivorous. "Beetles, caterpillars, various insects, and, in autumn, berries, con- 

 stitute its principal food." 



2,. T. paUasi, {Cab.,) hermit thrush. Summer resident, freqilent; omniv- 

 orous ; feeds on various insects and small berries. 



3. T fuscescens, (Wils.,) Steph., Wilson's thrush. Summer resident, fre- 

 quent ; omnivorous. Like the preceding, its food is principally coleopterous 

 insects and autumnal berries. 



4. T. swainsonn, (Wils.,) Cab., olive-backed thrush. Summer resident, 

 frequent ; omnivorous ; food and habits similar. 



5. T. alicicB, (Bd.,) gray-cheeked thrush. Summer resident, very rare ; 

 doubtful ; omnivorous ; unknown, except from analogy. 



6. T. migratorius, (Linn.,) robin. Resident, frequent; rare in winter; 

 omnivorous. In early summer they feed much on the ground, picking up the 

 various worms and insects of the season. In autumn they often resort to 

 small fruits and berries. When winter arrives many of them retire to the tide 

 marshes of our rivers, where seed and insect food are still found. When these 

 have been long covered with snow, the robins have returned to our orchards 

 and found subsistence in the rotten apples still hanging on the trees. This 

 was the case in the winters of 1831 and 1836. 



37. Genus Sialia, (Sw., 1837.) 



1. S. sialis, (Linn.,) Bd., bluebird. Resident, very common; rare in 

 winter ; insectivorous. This favorite of every household, the lovely and con- 

 fiding bluebird, seeks its food on the ground among grass. It seems to prefer 

 coleopterous beetles, but also devours other insects, caterpillars, spiders, &c., 

 and sometimes ripe berries. It well repays the use of the box, so often provi 

 ded for its habitation. 



38. Genus Rcgulus, (Cuv., 1799.) 



1 . R. calendula, (Linn.,) Licht., ruby-crowned wren. Migratory, frequent 

 in season ; insectivorous. 



2. R. satrapa, (Licht.,) golden-crested wren. Migratory, frequent in sea- 

 son ; insectivorous. These species, very nearly identified by appearance and 

 habits, are wholly insect-feeders. Ever vigilant, they may be seen closely 

 scanning the bark and leaves of trees and shrubs, in the orchard or garden, in 

 quest of small insects or larvae, spiders, &c. Sometimes they pursue and cap- 

 ture them on the wing. Their scrutinizing habits have obtained for them the 

 name of wrens. 



Xir. FA^nLY SYLVICOLID-E, (THE WOOD WARBLERS.) 



39. Genus Antlius, (Bechts., 1802.) 



1. A. ludovicianus, (Gmel.,) Licht., titlark. Winter resident, frequent ; 

 gregarious ; insectivorous ; mostly affects ploughed and bare fields on the mar- 

 gin of waters where it seeks various insects, seeds, &c. 



