WARBLERS. NIGHTINGALE. 53 



large size than the disposition of their feet and other characters ; 

 but in reality these birds approach much nearer to the thrushes, 

 from which they scarcely dilTer in the form of their beak. They 

 are distinguished by the singular conformation of the tail of the 

 male bird, the different feathers of which exactly resemble a 

 Lyre. These birds belong to New Holland; only one speciea is 

 known. 



21. The WARBLERS, Motacilla, are extremely numerous in 

 species, which are found in all countries. They have a straight, 

 slender beak, in the form of a bodkin, higher than it is broad at 

 the base ; the point of the upper mandible is often notched, and 

 the lower one is straight ; the nostrils are half closed by a mem- 

 brane; the tarsi are longer than the middle toe. Birds of this 

 genus are emphatically singers ; they are almost all migratory, 

 and insectivorous. They are divided into many sub-genera, 

 among which we may mention : 



22. The Traquets, Saxico/a, are lively birds 1 that stand 

 tolerably high on their legs; the French species build on the 

 ground and feed exclusively on insects : such are the Common 

 Traquet, Motacilla rubicola, and the Wheat Ear, Motacilla 

 teanthe. 



23. The Rubiettes, Sylvia, live on insects, worms and ber- 

 ries ; they are solitary, and generally build in holes ; the Stone' 

 ckat, .Motacilla rubicola, belongs to this sub-genus. 



24. In the division of Fauveites, Curruca, the beak is more 

 slender than in the trnquettes, or rubietlcs. The most interesting 

 species of this little group is the Niqhtinga-e, Motacilla 

 lusciida., the plumage of which is reddish brown above, and 

 whitish gray beneath, the tail being a little red. This bird, whose 

 song is so celebrated, never lives in flocks. The female con- 

 structs her nest, in the foliage, of straw and moss; she ordinarily 

 lays two or three times a year, and four or five eggs on each occa- 

 sion. While she is sitting, the male, perched upon a neighbour- 

 ing branch, endeavours to relieve the weariness of her task by 

 the harmony of his voice; if an enemy approach, he continues 

 to sing, and his interrupted accents tell his companion all she has 

 to fear. In the silence of the night, when all other birds have 

 suspended their concerts, the melodious voice of the Nightingale 

 alone is heard ; and the variety, the sweetness and harmony of 

 his notes place him in the first rank of singing birds. 



21. What nre the charactertTof the Warblers? 



2-.J. Whit are the Triquets? 



2.*. Whit are the habits of the Rubieltes? 



24. What are the characters and habits of the Nightingale? 



