94 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 



but almost all feed the young chiefly on insects 

 and such-like, whatever the adult diet may be. 



GAIT. Generally a hop, but some ground-feeding 

 forms, and the aerial Swallows, walk ; some, as 

 the large Thrushes, both walk and hop ; most species 

 . move very actively among boughs, and all can 

 perch on occasion. The Dippers (Cinclus] can 

 swim and dive. 



FLIGHT. Generally undulating and very characteristic, 

 the wings being alternately closed, causing a 

 drop, and then rapidly moved ; but the large 

 species flap regularly. The neck is drawn in and 

 the feet tucked up in front during flight. 



NOTE. Extremely varied, and often very melodious, 

 nearly all singing-birds belonging to this family ; 

 many have great imitative powers, and exercise 

 these even in a wild state, while some can be taught 

 to talk when tamed, such as the Starlings. 



DISPOSITION AND GENERAL HABITS. They are the 

 liveliest and most active of all birds, and often 

 very intelligent ; some are solitary, others 

 social ; most keep near cover. Many are pugna- 

 cious ; in fighting they do not use the wings, only 

 grappling with the claws and pecking. 



ECONOMIC QUALITIES. Most are useful insect- 

 destroyers, especially so as, being chiefly perchers, 

 they feed on insects other birds do not reach ; 

 some seed- and fruit-eating species are often 

 destructive, but the former do good also by 

 destroying seeds of weeds. Some are used as 

 food many, indeed, on the Continent. 



CAPTIVITY. Most cage birds, other than parrots, 

 belong to this family ; but they are not very free 

 breeders in captivity as a rule, and only three 

 species have been domesticated, all Finches 

 the Canary (Serinus canaria), the Java Sparrow 

 (Munia oryzivora), and the Sharp- tailed Finch or 



