CLASS-BOOK OF ZOOLOGY. 73 



§ 283. The flesh of Warblers, which is excellent and 

 wholesome food, can be used in the fall, and will pay "for 

 the little injury which those birds have done to our fruit 

 and grains. 



§ 284. These birds can be caught in trap-cages, with 

 sticks besmeared with birdlime, and the assistance of a 

 tame Owl ; but the largest numbers are caught with nets 

 prepared expressly for the purpose. 



§ 285. As Warblers enliven the country by their varie- 

 gated appearance and pleasant melodies, many persons 

 keep a number of them in cages, to prolong through the 

 winter the songs of summer. 



§ 286. As birds are attentive, and have a good memory, 

 they imitate musical sounds which they have repeatedly 

 heard ; Warblers kept in cages will, therefore, produce 

 more harmonious notes, than those living in the woods. 

 Among the Warblers, the following are distinguished by 

 their handsome plumage or melodious song. 



§ 287. The Red-bird (Tunagra rubra) is of the size of a 

 Mocking-bird, has a scarlet body, with red wings, and is 

 a bird of passage. It arrives here in the month of May, 

 and feeds on whortle-berries, insects, wasps, bees, and 

 cherries. 



\ 288. The Cedar-uird (Ampelis americana) is smaller 

 than the Robin, of a grayish-brown color, with a tuft on 

 the head, and red spots at the extremity of the wings. It 

 feeds on cedar-berries and insects, and is found in North 

 America. 



§ 289. The Mocking-bird (Turdus polyglottus) is of 

 the size of a Robin, ash-colored, with white stripes on the 

 wings, and is found from Pennsylvania as far south as the 

 West Indies. It is distinguished for its beautiful song T 

 as well as for its imitation of the notes of other birds. It 

 feeds on insects and cherries. 



§ 290. The Blue-bird (Sylvia sialis) is of the size of a 

 Canary-bird ; has beautiful blue wings, breast yellowish- 

 red, white below. It is a bird of passage, which emigrates 

 in the spring from the tropics, going as far north as New 

 York. It feeds on insects. 



§ 291. The Salangane (Hirundo esculenta) is a swal- 

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