78 PASSERES. SYLVIAD^. 



in the Tribe now before us, of which those re- 

 nowned songsters, the Nightingale of the Old 

 World, and the Mocking-bird of the New, are 

 members. 



The Dentirostres are scattered over the whole 



flobe, and are comprised in the following five 

 'amilies, Sylviadce, Turdidte, Muscicapadce ', Am- 

 pelidte, and L(wiad&* 



FAMILY I. SYLVIAD^:. 



(Warbkrs.) 



We have here a very extensive and wide- 

 spread group of small and delicately formed birds, 

 very many of which are noted for their powers of 

 song. Though the habits of so vast a number of 

 species vary considerably, yet in general the 

 Warblers frequent groves and woods, and search 

 for the small insects which constitute their food, 

 among the leaves and twigs, and in the crevices of 

 the bark of trees, rather than on the wing. Mr. 

 Swainson thus describes the habits of these pretty 

 little birds : " The chief peculiarity which runs 

 through this numerous Family is the very small 

 size and delicate structure of its individuals. Ex- 

 cepting the Humming-birds, we find among these 

 elegant little creatures the smallest birds in the 

 creation. The diminutive Golden-crests, the 

 Nightingale, the Whitethroat, and the Wood- 

 wren, are all well-known examples of genuine 

 Warblers, familiar to the British naturalist. The 

 groups of this extensive Family, spread over all 

 the habitable regions of the globe, are destined 

 to perform an important part in the economy of 



