SINGING BIRDS. 



553 



This bird, with tail feathers so strikingly developed (Fig. 

 477), is so peculiar among higher Passeres that it has been 

 proposed to separate it, with certain probable allies, from 

 all the rest. 



The Oscines are represented by a host of species. These 

 birds stand at the head of their class ; and as they are mostly 



Pig. 477. The Lyre-bird of Australia ( Menura superba). 



of small size, it may be said of them that they excel in qual- 

 ity, not quantity ; most of them sing, being highly wrought, 

 exquisite winged gems. Among the most notable are the 

 jays, including the magpie of the Rocky Mountains (Fig. 



