206 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. 



The song of the generality of birds be- 

 longing to this tribe, is in common har- 

 monious and agreeable, and in some few 

 instances, as in the Mocking and Minor- 

 birds, the Nightingale and the various 

 species of the Thrushes, surpasses any 

 thing like rivalry. Their food in a state 

 of nature, consists principally and almost 

 wholly of insects, and entirely so during 

 the period of incubation. To this is added 

 berries of various kinds, but we ourselves 

 are certain, and in that opinion are sup- 

 ported by the most distinguished natural- 

 ists, that these are only and occasionally 

 used as an aliment, when insects are 

 scarce and difficult to be procured. 



In the wild state many of the species 

 rear several broods, generally not more 

 than two, during a season, dwelling indis- 

 criminately in woods and thickets, the 

 neighbourhood of the farm-house, or 

 among reeds, where they are always 

 found in solitary pairs. In the time 

 of migration, in autumn, some kinds 



