OF NEW ENGLAND. 133 



mewing of a cat," or equally peculiar noises. Wilson, from 

 whom I have already quoted, says that "all these are uttered 

 with great vehemence, in such different keys, and with such 

 peculiar modulations of voice, as sometimes to seem at a con- 

 siderable distance and instantly as if just beside you ; now on 

 this hand, now on that." Wilson's biography of this bird is 

 extremely interesting, but unfortunately too long for transcrip- 

 tion. 



10. The Tanagridae, or tanagers, form a brilliant group, 

 intermediate between the finches and warblers (see fig. 5). 

 They have nine primaries, and scutellate tarsi. All the North 

 American species are characterized more or less plainly by a 

 tooth in the middle of the commissure. The Scarlet Tanager 

 may be considered a type. They have been called "dentiros- 

 tral finches," but, on the other hand, are closely allied to the 

 warblers through the chats. 



The Icteriince, however, are distinguished by the following 

 features from the tanagers and all other warblers, except 

 Geothlypes. Wings about equal in length to the tail. They 

 differ from Geothlypes in having an unnotched, unbristled bill, 

 which is not more than twice as long as high, if as much ; also 

 in size, being larger than any of the true warblers. "They 

 are represented in the United States, virtually by one species 

 only." 



The Ampelidce ( 11) are in New England represented only 

 by the Ampelince, or waxwings. This subfamily should, per- 

 haps, stand near the Clamatores (to whom the Corvidce bear 

 no direct affinity), but their true position has not yet been de- 

 termined. They are usually placed next to the swallows, whom 

 they resemble in the scutellate tarsi, and in the bill, which is 

 broad, and only about half as long as the commissure. (See 

 T, U, of the Introduction.) They have, however, ten prima- 

 ries, of which the first is spurious, and a notch in the bill. 

 They are also crested, and in full plumage have curious wax- 

 like appendages to certain quills, "and sometimes the tail- 

 feathers" (pi. 1, figs. 10 and 11). They show an affinity to 



