575 



SYLVIA. WARBLER. 



Generic Character. 



Rostrum gracile, rectum, cy- 

 lindricum, mandibulis sub- 

 aequalibus. 



Nares obovatae. 



Pedes simplices, digitis tri- 

 bus antiois, uno postico. 



Beak slender, straight, cylin- 

 drical, the mandibles nearly 

 equal. 



Nostrils slightly oval. 



Feet simple, with three toes 

 before, and one behind. 



JL HE 



Warblers, as they now stand, form one of 

 the largest divisions of birds, which it is impossible 

 to separate into genera on account of the great 

 number of species, that are either not sufficiently 

 well figured, or are merely known from descrip- 

 tion ; but it is to be hoped that some future or- 

 nithologist will undertake the laborious task of 

 separating the birds belonging to the genera Lus- 

 ciniola, Ficedula, Curruca, and others, of the older 

 authors ; as the present genus consists of an hete- 

 rogeneous assemblage of small birds, having a 

 few characters in common : many are noticed for 

 their charming songs : they perch on trees, and 

 proceed upon the ground by leaps, and some are 

 distinguished by their peculiar flight; their prin- 

 cipal food is insects, but some few will eat berries 

 and fruits: they are found in all parts of the globe, 

 v. x. P. ii. 37 



