AVES. 343 



The other species of mockmg birds inhabit South America, but are not 

 represented as possessing vocal powers at all comparable to the species 

 of the north. 



The rufous thrush or thrasher, Mimus rufus. is classed here. He is 

 usually rated as the next best songster of ail birds, appearing in Pennsyl- 

 vania about the first of May, and thence extending northwards to Canada. 



The cat bird, M. carolinensis, is also a member of this extensive group 

 of birds. No bird is better known in the United States, and, notwith- 

 standing his usually unpleasant notes, he can, upon sufficient inducement, 

 raise a very respectable song. 



Sub-fam. 3. Timalmce, or Babblers. Bill moderate, rather long, com- 

 pressed ; wings short, rounded ; tail generally rather long and graduated ; 

 tarsi long, robust ; toes long, strong ; claws long, acute. Size moderate, 



A remarkable group of long-tailed thrush-like birds inhabiting all parts 

 of the world except Europe, and remarkable for their fantastic movements 

 and singular voices. The note uttered by one of these birds is compared 

 by a distinguished naturalist (Mr. Jerdon), who long resided in India, to 

 a sort of cracked Punqh-and-Judy laugh, which is no sooner begun by one, 

 than the others of the flock follow in chorus. 



The Indian babblers (genus Timalia) are abundant in the cultivated 

 grounds around the villages of India, generally frequenting the ground in 

 search of insects and seeds. They utter continually a low chattering noise,, 

 which is occasionally changed to a loud guttural cry, though some of the 

 species are capable of singing quite agreeably. 



The only representative of this sub-family in t!ie United States is the 

 yellow-breasted chat, Icteria viridis, which is rather frequently heard in 

 marshy and bushy places, but, being very shy, is less frequently seen. It is 

 a very handsome bird, olive green above, and fine yellow on the lower 

 parts of its body. Like the other birds of this sub-family, it is remarkable 

 for its curious voice. " First is heard," says Wilson, " a repetition of short 

 notes resembling the whistling of the wings of a duck or teal, beginning 

 loud and rapid, and falling lower and slower till they end in detached notes ; 

 then a succession of others, something like the barking of young puppies, 

 followed by a variety of hollow guttural sounds, each eight or ten times 

 repeated, more like those proceeding from the throat of a quadruped than 

 that of a bird, which are succeeded by others not unlike the mewing of a 

 cat, but considerably hoarser." 



This bird inhabits the whole of the United States ; another species, very 

 similar, has been discovered in California. 



Sub-fam. 4. Oriolince, or Orioles. Bill rather long, broad at base, stout, 

 and compressed ; wings long, rather rounded ; tail moderate, rather wide ; 

 tarsi and feet short and strong. Colors mostly yellow. 



These birds are confined to the old world, being most abundant in India. 

 One species, O. galbula {pi. 100, fig. 8), occasionally visits Europe. It is 

 a very handsome bird, of pure lemon yellow plumage, somewhat resembling 

 the Baltimore oriole, though much lai^er. The birds of the present sub- 

 family must not, however, be confounded with the American orioles, which 



547 



