352 IXSECTIVOILE. 



There are considerable differences of appearance in the 

 warblers, answering to the haunts in which they are found ; 

 but there seems a general likeness through all the genera. 

 They are delicate in their outlines, without any of the full or 

 abrupt curves that are found in many other genera. Their 

 plumage is delicate, and though there be some exceptions, 

 their colours are subdued, and without any very strong 

 markings or contrasts. The feathers on the shoulders and 

 the wing-coverts are short, so that the wings are light. 

 Their whole expression is soft, but not dull ; and their man- 

 ners, though gentle, are rather sprightly. They have not, 

 indeed, any organs which can be regarded as offensive wea- 

 pons: their bills are tender, suited only for the capture of 

 insects and their larvae, or for bruising berries or other small 

 pulpy fruits. They are not all song birds, but they comprise 

 the finest of our songsters, and their notes run more on the 

 minor keys than those of any other birds. 



Their general characters are : the bill of moderate length, 

 straight, slightly awl-shaped, a little compressed at the base, 

 and the upper mandible with a small bend and margin at the 

 tip. Feet with three toes before and one behind ; the outer 

 one articulated on the middle toe, so as to be capable of 

 perching upon very slender supports. The first quill of the 

 wing is very short, and in some species merely rudimental ; 

 the second and third are nearly of the same length, which 

 gives the wing a blunt appearance. The tail is of moderate 

 length, but strong in proportion to the size of the birds ; in 

 some wedge-shaped, in others nearly even, and in others again 

 slightly wedge-shaped ; but, in all cases, without any sharp 

 points when spread. There are two divisions of warblers, 

 aquatic and sylvan, which are easily distinguished by their 

 appearances, as well as by their haunts. 



