ORDER TASSERES. l65 



But one species is known ; it is of Africa ; brownish, 

 with a moderately sized wedged tail, and is almost 

 the size of a thrush. (Buphaga Afric(ina). Enl. 293. 

 Vail. Af pi. 97. Vieil. Gal. 



The Cassiques. (Cassicus. Cuv.) 



Have a large conical bill, thick at the base, but very 

 sharp at the point ; small round nostrils on its sides ; 

 the aperture of the mandibles in a broken line, form- 

 ing an angle, as in the starlings. These are American 

 birds, whose habits are similar to those of our starlings, 

 living, like them, gregariously, building their nest 

 near each other, and using much art in their con- 

 struction. They live on insects and grains, and their 

 numerous flocks do great damage to the cultivated 

 fields. Their flesh is not good. 

 We subdivide them as follows : 



The Cassiques, properly so called. (Cassicus.) 



In which the base of the bill mounts upward on the 

 forehead, and encroaches on the plumage by a large 

 semicircular notch. It is among these that the largest 

 species are found. 



Cassicus Bifasciatus. Spix. Spix. Braz. t. 61. a. 



Bill black, with two reddish bands ; crest of linear 

 feathers, deep chestnut ; head and neck, black ; quills, 

 black, brown-edged. Brazil. 



