448 



FLY-CATCHERS. AMPELIDJS, OR CHATTERERS. 



resemblance to the Warblers in their habits. They seldom 



alight on the ground, 

 however, being almost 

 incapacitated from 

 moving upon it by the 

 shortness of their legs, 

 and the small size of 

 their feet. Two spe- 

 cies, the Grey and the 

 Pied Fly-catchers, are 

 annual visitants of 

 Britain ; arriving in 

 May, and departing 

 at the beginning of 

 October ; in which 

 interval (as is the case 

 with our other sum- 

 mer visitants) the eggs 

 are hatched, and the 

 young reared. 



404. The AMPE- 

 LiDvE, or Chatterers, 

 have the same depressed 

 beak as the Fly-catchers; but it is somewhat shorter in propor- 

 tion, and slightly arched. These, also, are mostly found in the 

 warmer regions of the globe, especially in the New World ; and 

 they inhabit the low grounds or forests, feeding upon insects, 

 caterpillars, and sometimes upon fruits. Several species are 

 remarkable for their powers of song, which almost equal those of 

 the Nightingale. Only one species visits this country ; the 

 Bohemian Chatterer, or Black-throated Waxwing, which derives 

 its name from a series of curious appendages to its wing-feathers 

 (Fig.^ 250), resembling red sealing-wax in colour. This is a very 

 handsome Bird, nearly equalling the Song-Thrush in size, and 

 resembling it in colour. It makes its appearance in Britain at 

 irregular periods ; visiting us generally during the winter in large 



FIG. 248 HEAD AND FOOT OF TYRANT FLY-CATCHER. 



