188 AVES. 



the entire anatomy of which is widely different] ; but it resembles the other in all the rest of its conformation, 

 and particularly by its naked spaces on the sides of the head. Of all birds, this one is said to imitate most com- 

 pletely the lang-uage of Man. 



Nothing can be more perplexing to systematists than the diversity in the form of bill observable in birds other- 

 wise so nearly allied. [It intimates, with a variety of other circumstances, that naturalists have attached undue 

 importance to the character thence derivable, in tracing the affinities of these animals. The fact is, that the Pas- 

 serinne contain two principal centres of radiation,— the genera Titrdus and Co;-f!/.y,— together with several of 

 subordinate importance, each of which may exhibit modifications suited for any mode of life, as Jlij-catchbig, 

 iiectar-stic/ihif/, &c. : those species analogously modified upon different of these types, however, having no imme- 

 diate physiological relationship for each other, such as is evinced by genera really connected by affinity, how- 

 ever differently modified, in their changes of plumage, system of coloration, eggs, &c., all of which require to be 

 taken much more into consideration than has hitherto been the practice, if these birds are to be classified in 

 accordance with their true natural affmities. One great help to a sound arrangement is afforded by the geogra- 

 phical distribution of forms; another by the nestling plumage, as stated on a former occasion ; and a third, 

 judiciously and not inconsiderately followed, by the style and character of the colouring and structure of the fea- 

 thei-s, which are worthy of particular attention. Habit is the most deceptive guide of any, but should nevertheless 

 be duly kept in view]. 



The Crackles {Graculus, Cuv. ; Crido Uteres, Vieillot) — 



Constitute another genits allied to the Thrushes [or rather to the Starlings], the species of which 

 inhahit Africa and the countries bordering on the Indian Ocean. Their beak is compressed, very 

 slightly arcuated and notched, its commissure forming an angle as in the Starlings. The feathers on 

 the head are nearly alv^ays naiTow, and there is a naked space round the eye. Their habits are those 

 of the Starlings, like which they fly in large flocks, and pursue insects. 



One species appears occasionally in Europe, the Rose Ouzel (Pastor rosetis, Meyer), [which is sufficiently dis- 

 tinct from the true Crackles]. It is of a shining black, with the back, rump, scapulars, and under-parts, rose- 

 coloured ; the coronal feathers narrow, and lengthened into a pendent crest. This bird is of great service in wami 

 countries, by destroying Grasshoppers. 



Another species, Paradis<eits tristis, Gm., has become celebrated for similar services rendered to the Isle of 

 France. It is however a very general feeder, nestles in palm-trees, aiid is extremely docile. Its size is that of a 

 Blackbird, and colour brown, blackish on the head; a spot near the tip of the wing, lower part of the abdomen, 

 and tips of the lateral tail-feathers, white. There are numerous others. Linnaeus and his followers brought 

 together most discordant species under the appellation Gracula. 



The Manorrhines {Manorrhinus, Vieillot) — 

 Have the beak very much compressed, only slightly arcuated, and feebly notched ; the nostrils large, 

 but in great part closed by a membrane, which leaves only a narrow slit ; neck short. The frontal 

 feathers, which are soft like those of young bu-ds, are partly reflected over the nostrils. 

 M. viridis, Vieillot, Gal. 149. 



The Chocards {Pyrrhocorax, Cuv.) — 



Have the compressed, arched, and emarginated bill of the Thrushes, but their nostrils are covered by 

 incumbent feathers, as in the Crows, from which they were long undistinguished. 



We have one the size of a Daw, the Alpine Cliocard (Corvtm pyrrhocornx, Lin.), entirely black, with a yellow 

 bill, the feet brown at first, then yellow, and finally red, which nestles in the clefts of rocks in the highest moun- 

 tains, whence, in winter, it descends in great flocks into the valleys. It feeds on insects, snails, and likewise on 

 fruit and grain, and does not reject carrion : [is simply a modified Crow, nearly allied to the Choughs]. 



Another, in India (Pi/r. hexanemus, Cuv.), is distingiushed by three barbless shafts, as long as the body, which 

 grow on each side among the feathers which cover the ear. 



I can find no sufficient character by which to separate from the Thrush group 



The Orioles {Oriohis, Lin.), — 

 Wherein the beak, otherwise resembling that of the Thrushes, is merely a httle stouter, the legs also 

 being rather shorter, and the wings proportionally longer. Liunaju^ and several of his successors 

 confounded them with the Cassicans, which they merely resemble in colour. 



The European Oriole (O. galbida, Lin.), is somewhat larger than a Blackbird. The male is of a bright yellow, 

 with the wings, tail, and a spot behind each eye, black, the tip of the tail yellow ; but during the two first years 

 he retains the peimanent colouring of the female, wherein the yellow \s replaced by olive-green, and the black by 

 brown. This bird suspends its skilfully-constructed nest to the branches of trees, feeds on cherries and other 

 fiMiit, and during spring on insects. It is timorous, remains in France only for a short time in sunmier, and 

 travels in pairs, or three together. [In accordance with its migratory habits, it has longer wings than any of its 

 numerous congeners.] 



