260 PERCHERS AND SINGERS 



birds have been specially developed by Nature to combat 

 and destroy the hordes of insects destructive to fruit, grain 

 and tree life, which otherwise would in a short time increase 

 to such enormous numbers that no vegetation could with- 

 stand their attacks. 



To the average reader, the Order of Perching and Singing 

 Birds may at first seem difficult to grasp; but in reality it is 

 not. A knowledge of forty birds will give one a very good 

 idea of its various Families; and any one can learn about 

 forty birds. After this Order has been mastered, all others 

 will be found quite easy. The examples introduced have been 

 selected with great care, and, concerning those illustrated, the 

 pictures will tell of their forms and markings far better than 

 wordy descriptions could do. 



THE THRUSH FAMILY 



Turdidae 



THE RoBiN. 1 All lovers of birds should agree in placing 

 this dear old friend at the head of the list of the birds of this 

 continent. This is because it is the highest avian type. It 

 has typical plumage, it flies well, it perches, it sings beauti- 

 fully, it migrates, and its anatomy is thoroughly representa- 

 tive. Moreover, it quickly discerns a friend and protector, 

 and it is not driven away by the English sparrow. 



Of all our birds, the Robin comes the nearest to being 

 "folks." It is always one of the first birds to arrive in the 

 spring, it remains all summer, and it is one of the last to de- 



1 Me-ru'la mi-gra-to'ri-a. Length, from end of beak to end of tail, 9 to 10 

 inches. 



