BABBLERS. 5 n 



THE MOCKING-BIRDS AND THEIR ALLIES. 

 Family MlMID^J. 



Space admits of only the very briefest reference to the American family typified 

 by the well-known mocking-bird (Mimua polyglottus) ; this family being generally 

 placed between the wrens and the babblers, to the latter of which it is nearly 

 allied. The babblers are but poor songsters, but the mocking-birds are renowned 

 for their vocal powers. Twelve genera are included in the family, but it would be 

 useless to attempt to point out their distinctive characters. 



MOCKING-BIRD. 



THE BABBLERS. 

 Family CRATEROPODID^. 



This family contains a very large number of birds, the affinities of some of 

 which are doubtful, though the majority agree in possessing a short and rounded 

 wing, together with large and powerful legs and feet. The bill is variously 

 modified, but always adapted to an insectivorous diet, and is furnished with rictal 

 bristles. The babblers belong principally to the Oriental region, though their 

 distribution through the tropical parts of the world is very extensive. The 

 laughing- thrushes (Trockalopterum) of the Himalaya and Southern China are 

 well-known representatives of this group, as are the true babblers (Argya), which 



