5H REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



Tyrannus, Monacha, Eurylaimus, Platyrhynchus, Toaus, 

 Muscicapa, Alectrurus, Drymophila, Formicivora, Rhipidura, Seisura> 

 Psophodes, and Euicurus. Of these, Eurylaimiis have a very large, 

 depressed, and cleft bill. They are of more elegant form than 

 plumage ; for their colouring is devoid of brilliant tints. They live 

 a retiring life in marshes, and upon the banks of lakes and rivers, 

 feeding upon the worms and insects which abound in such localities. 

 They are about the size of the Thrush, and they inhabit the isles of 

 Oceania. 



The Manakins (Piprina) have the bill rather short ; the upper 

 mandible much curved, and pierced with large nostrils ; the feet 

 longish, slender, and weak ; the external toes reverted towards the 

 middle. These birds are natives of South America, and are gifted 

 with brilliant plumage. 



The Cock of the Rock (Rupicola) is remarkable for the lively and 

 delicate shades of the colour of its plumage, and for a graceful 

 crest which decorates its crown. It prefers sombre localities, and 

 retires into clefts and caverns when pursued. It is very wild, and 

 only issues from its hiding-place in search of the fruits which form 

 its food. Under the most favourable circumstances these birds are 

 difficult to approach, taking flight at the slightest appearance of 

 danger. t Their name comes from their size, and also from their 

 habit of scratching up the earth, and napping their wings like the 

 Domestic Cock. They are natives of South America and Malaya. 

 The best-known species, Rupicola aurantia, is a native of Guiana ; 

 its plumage is bright orange, and the crest is formed by two rows of 

 feathers, so arranged as to form a semicircle. 



The warblers (Sylviance) are readily recognised by their short, 

 slender, and tapering bill, constituting a numerous series of birds, 

 among which we recognise many of our most familiar garden and 

 field favourites. 



All these are of small .size, and have the singular property of 

 imparting a vibratory motion to their tails. They are denizens of. 

 our woods, thickets, and gardens, where they fill the air with their 

 melody. They are generally migratory, arriving in the spring, and 

 departing at the fall of the leaf. Living, except in autumn, almost 

 exclusively on insects and their larvas, they render in this respect 

 eminent services to man ; but it is a curious fact that at that period 

 these birds cease to be insectivorous, and feed on fruits principally 

 figs and grapes, whence the name of bec-figues applied to them in the 

 South of France. By gourmets they are most eagerly sought after 

 for their flesh, which is considered most delicate. 



