THE SINGING BIRDS. 



153 



culmen ; the upper mandible terminates suddenly in a large hook. The foot is muscular, the tarsus 

 thick and of moderate length, the long fleshy toes are armed with large hooked claws, that of the 

 hinder toe considerably exceeding the rest in size. The plumage is composed of broad feathers, and 

 thus appears thick and rich in texture ; the region of the beak is surrounded by a slight growth of 

 bristles. 



VIGORS' RAVEN SHRIKE. 



Vigors' Raven Shrike {Thamnophilus widulatus or Thamnophilus Vigorsii) is a large bird 

 about fourteen inches long ; its wing measures five and its tail six inches. The plumage of the male 

 is entirely black upon the upper side, streaked with white upon the back, wings, and tail ; the lower 

 parts of the body are of an uniform dark grey, somewhat paler upon the throat The female is 

 almost exclusively yellowish brown, the top of the head being blackish brown, and the back, wings, 





THE MAGPIE shrike (Cractkus ckstrttctor). 



and tail striped alternately with black and reddish yellow. Burmeister found the Bush Shrike 

 inhabiting the wooded highlands of Rio de Janeiro and Santo Paulo, occasionally in the vicinity of the 

 towns and villages. Such as he observed hopped about amongst the branches at some distance from 

 the ground, repeatedly uttering their monotonous cry. They exhibited no fear of molestation, and 

 would allow a sportsman to approach quite close, even if armed with his gun. 



We are somewhat better informed as to the habits of the species of Bush Shrikes mentioned by 

 Azara and the Prince von Wied. These are described as resembling both the Shrikes and the Ant 

 Thrushes (Pitta) in form and general appearance. All lead a retired life amidst the bushy foliage of 

 their native forests, and usually prefer the darkest and most secluded localities, seldom quitting these 

 retreats except when flying from one bush to another. The larger species are occasionally met with 

 in the open country, but there, as elsewhere, they keep within the shelter of the brushwood, and only 

 leave their favourite haunts for a few minutes morning and evening. Towards other birds they 

 exhibit little sociability, but are much attached to their mates, each couple keeping together throughout 

 their lives. The voice of the various species is so very similar as to render it almost impossible to 

 vol. ii. — 59 



