138 SALICARIA. 



ing a marked group both in form and habits. 

 As partly indicated by their name, they fre- 

 quent the vicinity of water, or at least marshy 

 lands. Many of them build their nests among 

 reeds, amidst which, and other aquatic plants or 

 shrubs, they spend their days, skulking and climb- 

 ing about them, using their wedge-shaped tail 

 as an accessory, and deriving sustenance from 

 the insects which affect these localities. Another 

 feature in their economy, and in which an alli- 

 ance may be traced between them and the 

 African and American " Babblers,"* also frequent- 

 ing aquatic situations, is their almost incessant 

 noise, it can scarcely be called song. At times 

 this is kept up as an ill-natured chatter, particu- 

 larly on being disturbed ; but when undisturbed 

 it is uttered sitting on some low twig, with the 

 wings rather drooping. A number of natural 

 notes are produced, but the faculty of imitating 

 parts of the song of other birds is more developed 

 than in any other European genus. These are 

 introduced in constant succession, and with great 

 volubility, they are often continued very late ; 

 and in clear moonlight almost during the whole 

 night. 



SALICARIA, Selby* Genetic characters. Bill 

 straight, subulate, with a distinct culmen, 

 rather depressed at the base, and slightly 

 bristled; tip very slightly deflected and 

 notched ; forehead narrow and depressed ; 

 * Crateropus, Meglurus, Swain. Donacobius, &c. 



