CLxiSS II. AVES: ORDER 2. PASSERES. 



127 



THE BABBLERS. 



This group, called Thnalince, are small, noisy, gregarious birds, belonging to Asia and the Asi- 

 atic Islands and Australia ; they live exclusively in the forests, feeding on insects ; some of the 

 species on fruit. Many of them have a sweet song, and some are excellent imitatoi-s of other 

 birds. Some are noted for a singular cry, which resembles a loud human laugh, and this peculi- 

 arity has obtained for tw'o or three of the species the names oi iha Laughing Crow and Laughing 

 Thrush from the Europeans in India. The cry of the Laughing Thrush, Pteroojclus cachinnans, 

 is said by Dr. Jerdon to be a peculiar "sort of cracked Punch and Judy laugh," which is no 

 sooner commenced by one than several others take up the chorus. The Garrulax leucolophiis, 

 or Laughing Crow, is also said to produce a sound closely resembling the human laugh. Some 

 of these birds, as, for instance, the Black-faced Thrush, Garrulax chinensis, are tamed, and are 

 amusing pets. The Malacocircus Malcomi of India is noted for its courage, and the Spotted 

 Ground-Thrush of Australia, Cinclosoma puuctatum — called Oround-Hawk at Ilobart Town — 

 is greatly esteemed for its flesh. 



THE TURBINE OR TRUE THRUSHES. 



Of these the species are numerous in all parts of the globe ; they generally frequent fields and 

 pastures in search of food, but retire to the woods and thickets for security when roosting, and 

 during the breeding season. Their nests are usually very neatly made, composed of grasses, 

 twigs, and moss, frequently lined with a thin layer of mud, within which is another layer of soft 

 vegetable substances for the reception of the eggs. The latter are usually five or six in number, 

 variable in color, but commonly freckled with dark spots. The food of the thrushes consists both 

 of animal and vegetable matters, such as insects and their larvre, worms, snails, fruits and seeds. 



THE BLACKBIRD. 



Genus TURDUS: Turdus. — This includes numerous migratory species, visiting temperate 

 countries either from the south in summer or from the north in winter, and popularly known for 

 their song and their pleasing habits. Many of them, which arc not found in America, are still ren- 

 dered interesting and familiar to American readers from the constant allusions to them in English 

 literature. One of the best known is the Blackbird, T. merula — the Merle JVoir of the French ; 

 Mulo of the Italians; and Schumrz Brossel of the Germans; it is about ten inches long, which is 

 nearly the size of tlie Purple Grakle, which we call Blackbird in this country. Its color is black, 

 the bill yellow ; but albinos, entirely white, are sometimes known. It breeds early in the spring, 

 usually forming its nest in a thick bush ; the eggs are four or five in number. It frequents 

 hedges, thickets, plantations, and gardens; is shy, restless, and vigilant, and if disturbed takes wing 

 with a cry of alarm. It feeds on larvae, snails, worms, insects, and fruits. The song is loud and 



