194 Mr. Vigors's Sketches in Ornithology. 



them when climhing up the stalks of the rice and other plants, 

 from which they derive a great portion of their food. And it 

 is more than probable that the conterminous species of Le'istes^ 

 which possess somewhat of a similar construction of tail, employ- 

 that member to a similar purpose, though perhaps less frequently 

 and to less extent. This striking character added io that of the 

 shortness and encreased strength of their bills, seems to indicate 

 their being more granivorous than the birds of the other subdivi- 

 sions of the present subfamily. There is a general conformity in 

 the habits and mode of feeding of all the groups contained in the 

 present sketch, as also it may be added among the Sturnidce in 

 general. But many minute differences will be found, I am con- 

 vinced, to exist among them, when their habits become more 

 intimately enquired into ; many of which indeed have already 

 been partially noticed. These differences, I feel equal conviction, 

 will be found to correspond with the differences in their external 

 characters, as pointed out in the foregoing observations. 



There are a considerable number of species belonging to the 

 present subfamily, which have been described by different writers, 

 and many of them even figured, but which I refrain at present 

 from referring to any of the above subdivisions of this group. 

 The birds themselves are not within the reach of examination ; 

 and as the descriptions given of them are chiefly confined io the 

 specifick marks of colour and size, little knowledge can be at- 

 tained respecting the important characters which are necessary, in 

 the present state of science, to ascertain the exact station of each. 

 Even the figures generally given of birds afford but slight assis- 

 tance in these particulars. Little attention has hitherto been 

 paid to the minuter points of structure ; and even in that valuable 

 work, the " Planches Enluminees," great inaccuracy has crept 



have been separated from them. Among these may be mentioned some species 

 of tlie Old World, such as 0. lextor, Gmel. O. Capensis, Gmel., &c. which 

 belong to M. Cuvier's genus P/oceus; the Oriolus leucopterus, Gmel., figured 

 •in the "General Synopsis," [Vol. II. t. in tit.] which is allied to the group 

 of Tanagcrs, and at present forms the type of M. Vieillot's genus Tachyphonusi 

 the Oriolus Picus, Gmel. < v climbing Oriole of Dr. Latham, [Gen. Syn. Vol. II. 

 p. 453. sp. 45.] which belongs to the family of Certhiadoe and to the genus 

 ■Dendrocolnptes, Illig., &c. &c. 



