FLY-CATCHERS MOCKING-BIRDS. G9 



is typical of the great American tribe of tyrant-fly- 

 catchers. In its structure it closely approaches the 

 true shrikes, but in its habits may be compared to 

 many birds. I have freqiiently observed it, hunt- 

 ing a field, hovering over one spot like a hawk, 

 and then proceeding on to another. When seen 

 thus suspended in the air, it might very readily, at 

 a short distance, be mistaken for one of the Rapa- 

 cious order : its stoop, how^ever, is very inferior in 

 force and rapidity to that of a hawk. At other 

 times the Saurophagiis haunts the neighbourhood 

 of water, and there, like a kingfisher, remaining 

 stationary, it catches any small fish which may 

 come near the margin. These birds are not un- 

 frequently kept either in cages or in courtyards, 

 with their wings cut. They soon become tame, 

 and are very amusing from their cunning odd man- 

 ners, which were desci'ibed to me as being similar 

 to those of the common magpie. Their flight is 

 undulatory, for the weight of the head and bill ap- 

 pear too great for the body. In the evening the 

 Saurophagus takes its stand on a bush, often by the 

 roadside, and continually repeats without change 

 a shrill and rather agreeable cry, which somewhat 

 resembles articulate words : the Spaniards say it 

 is like the words " Bien te veo" (I see you well), 

 and accordingly have given it this name. 



A mocking-bird (jNIimus orpheus), called by the 

 inhabitants Calandria, is remarkable, from possess- 

 ing a song far superior to that of any other bird in 

 the country : indeed, it is nearly the only bird in 

 South America which I have observed to take its 

 stand for the purpose of singing. The song may 

 be compared to that of the Sedge warbler, but is 

 more powerful ; some harsh notes and some very 

 high ones being mingled with a pleasant warbling. 

 It is heard only during the spring. At other times 



