476 



Fam. Cinclidae. Dippers or water-oiisels. Cinclus aquaticus Bechst. 



Fam. Troglodytidae. Wrens, principally in trop. America. Tro- 

 glodytes parvulus Koch, the common wren. 



Fam. Chamaeidae. One genus, N. Amer. 



Fam. Hirundinidae. Swallows and martins. With 12 rectrices and 

 anteriorly scutellated metatarsus. With broad, triangular beak, split 

 nearly to the eyes. Feet small and weak. Tail long and forked. Cos- 

 mopolitan ; the European species pass the winter in Central Africa. The 

 nests are formed of small lumps of moist earth and short straws and slender 

 sticks. Hirundo rustica L., the swallow. Chelidon urbica L., the house- 

 martin. Cotile riparia L., the sand-martin, nests in holes in the earth, 

 which it digs for itself. 



Fam. Campephagidae. Cuckoo-shrikes. Oirynotus of Mauritius and 



FIG. 256. Cincinnurus regius, male and female (from CLaus). 



Reunion has two species in which the males are alike, the females being 

 very different. 



Fam. Dicruridae. Drongos. Ethiopian, Indian and Australian Regions. 



Fam. Ampelidae. Ampelis garrulus L., the waxwing, Arctic Europe, 

 Asia and America ; A. carolinensis, cedar bird of N. Amer., A. japonicus 

 Japan and Amuria. 



Fam. Artamidae. Wood-swallows, from the Australian to the Indian 

 Regions. 



Fam. Laniidae. Butcher-birds or shrikes. Large powerful passerines, 

 with hooked, strongly serrated beak, strong rictal vibrissae, and tolerably 

 long, sharply clawed, feet. Lanius excubitor L., grey shrike ; L. minor L., 

 lesser grey shrike ; L. rufus L., woodchat shrike ; L. collurio L., red-backed 

 shrike. These birds prey on small mammals, birds., etc., and impale them 

 on thorns to be devoured at leisure. 



