SHRIKES. FLY-C ATCHERS COTING AS. 49 



4. The SHRIKES, Lanius, have a moderate, but strong beak, 

 Which is straight from its origin, and very compressed ; the upper 

 mandible is strongly curved towards the point where it forms a 

 hook, and is armed with a deep notch ; its base is provided with 

 stiff hairs, and is destitute of cere. Though small in size, these 

 birds are full of courage ; they contend with birds of prey, 

 and, like them, live by rapine. They ferd on insects and small 

 birds, and always inhabit the woods and bushes on the planes; 

 they live in families, and fly irregularly, and precipitately, utter- 

 ing shrill cries. There are five species in Europe, and several in 

 America. The common or Great Shrike, Lanius excubitor, 

 which is ash coloured above, white beneath, and of the size of a 

 Thrush ; and the Butcher Bird, Lanius collurio, which is 

 smaller than the others, has the back and wings fawn colour ; 

 this last bird destroys a great many small animals, birds and 

 young toads, as well as a number of insects, grasshoppers, 

 beetles, &c., which it has the habit of sticking on the thorns of 

 bushes, in order to devour them at leisure, or to find them again 

 when wanted. This little Shrike makes its appearance in the 

 spring, and quits France and the United States in the autumn. 



The cassicam and vanyas, and several other genera are grouped 

 in this tribe, and have similar habits. 



5. The FLY-CATCHERS, Muscicapa, are found in all parts of 

 the world. Their beak is moderate, strong, and compressed to- 

 wards the point, which is curved, and deeply notched ; the base 

 is furnished with long, stiff hairs, that cover the nostrils, which 

 are lateral and oval. These birds are travellers. They feed on 

 small birds, or on insects, which they catch on the wing ; they 

 alight on trees in the forests. Europe possesses a great many 

 species. 



6. The name of Tyrant, Tyrann-ua, is given to those fly- 

 catchers of America, that have a strong beak; other birds of this 

 division on the contrary, have a very slender beak. They defend 

 their young even from the eagle, and drive all birds of prey from 

 their nest. The larger species feed on small birds, and do not 

 always despise carrion. 



7. The COTINGAS, or Crown Birds, Jlmpdis, are for the 

 most part, remarkable for the beauty of their plumage. Their 

 beak is short, slightly depressed, a little convex above, and sud- 



4. What are the characters of Shrikes? What are their habits? Upon 

 what do they feed ? From what circumstance does the Butcher bird derive 

 its name ? 



5 What are the characters of the Flycatchers ? On what do they feed 1 



6. What are Tyrants ? What are their habits ? 



1 What are the characters of the Cotingas? 



