TYRANT-BIRDS — PLANT- CUTTERS 



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species, Tyrannulus elatus. inhabiting the north of South America, is but little 

 larger than a gold-crest, and of similar colour and marking. The flycatcher-tyrants 

 resemble flycatchers in appearance; one of them, the crown-tyrant (Myiobius 

 swainsoni), which inhabits south-eastern Brazil, being distinguished by a red, fan- 

 like crest tipped with blue. 



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SICKLE-BEAKED TREE PECKER 



Plant-Cutters. 



The plant-cutters are included in a single genus, with four 

 species, found mostly in cultivated districts. These birds, which are 

 named from their habit of biting off the young shoots of plants with their short, 

 thick, finch-like beaks, inflict much damage in this manner, as well as by their 

 partiality for ripe grapes. The best known is the rarita (Pltytotomus vara), of 



