THE 



MUSCICAPID^E, 



CONTAINING the Todies and Flycatchers, as is well 

 known, form one of the great divisions of the inses- 

 sorial or perching order, and are united on one side 

 to the Ampelidce or chatterers, and on the other to 

 the Liniadce or shrikes. The food of the chatterers, 

 however, is almost exclusively confined to fruits ; 

 but one of the chief characteristics of the family now 

 before us is that of feeding entirely upon insects*, 

 these are captured by the bill, during flight, in the 

 same manner as that adopted by the swallows and 

 all fissirostral birds. Their organization is conse- 

 quently in strict conformity with this habit, and we 

 shall see how beautifully nature has adapted it for 

 such a life. The wings are not formed for such ra- 

 pidity and celerity of movement as those of the swal- 

 lows, since the flycatchers do not pursue their prey 

 to any distance ; but this deficiency is compensated 

 by a very unusual breadth in the bill, the sides of 

 which are furnished with long rigid bristles pointing 

 forwards ; thus provided, a flycatcher darts upon au 

 insect with unerring certainty, since, if it fails to 

 get a firm hold by its bill, the bristles standing out 

 on each side confine the struggles of the victim, and 



