PASSERINE BIRDS. 419 



FAMILY OF DENTIROSTRES.* 



This family includes those Passerine only that have 

 the beak notched on both sides, near the point. They 

 are all insectivorous, and most of them also eat ber- 

 ries and other tender fruits ; such are 



The Shrikes (Lanius}. Though small in size, these birds are full 

 of courage ; they contend with birds of prey, and like them, live by 

 rapine. They feed on insects and small birds, and always inhabit 



FlG. 345. HEAD OP TTRANNUS. 



woods and bushes. They live in families, and fly irregularly and 

 precipitately, uttering shrill cries. The Butcher Bird (Lanius 

 collurio) destroys a great many small animals, birds, and young 

 toads, as well as insects, such as grasshoppers, beetles, &c. ; these 

 it has the habit of impaling on the thorns of bushes, in order to 

 devour them at leisure, or to find them again when wanted. 



The Fly-catchers (Muscicap^ the Thrushes, the Nightingale, 

 the Wrens, the Wagtails, the Titlarks, and many others of similar 

 habits belong to this family. 



* Dens, dentis, a tooth ; rostrum, a leak tooth -beaks. 

 t Musca, a fly ; capio, to take or catch. 



