RS. Ill 



regions still more inhospitable, which we may 

 conjecture to be those cold and arid plains of great 

 elevation, which occupy the central portion of 

 Asia, or the bleak and barren wilds of northern 

 Siberia. 



The Silk-tail is somewhat less than a Thrush ; 

 its general plumage is of a vinous or purplish-red 

 hue ; the throat is deep black, as is a band on 

 each side of the head ; the crown and .crest are 

 chestnut brown; the tail and wings are black with 

 yellow tips ; the coverts have white tips ; some five 

 or six of the secondaries, and, in very old males, 

 some of the tail-feathers also, have the dilated, 

 scarlet appendages to the shafts already alluded to. 



The Prince of Canino thus speaks of the habits 

 of this pretty bird. " Besides their social dispo- 

 sition, and general love of their species, these 

 birds appear susceptible of individual attachment, 

 as if they felt a particular sentiment of benevo- 

 lence, even independent of reciprocal sexual at- 

 traction. Not only do the male and female caress 

 and feed each other, but the same proofs of mutual 

 kindness have been observed between individuals 

 of the same sex. This amiable disposition, so 

 agreeable for others, often becomes a serious dis- 

 advantage to its possessor. It always supposes 

 more sensibility than energy, more confidence 

 than penetration, more simplicity than prudence, 

 and precipitates these as well as nobler victims, 

 into the snares prepared for them by more artful 

 and selfish beings. Hence they are stigmatized 

 . as stupid ; and as they keep generally close to- 

 gether, many are easily killed at once by a single 

 discharge of a gun. They always alight on trees, 

 hopping awkwardly on the ground. Their flight 



