

THE SINGING BIRDS. 163 



by their large, powerful bodies, and their long wings and tail, in the former of which the first quill 

 is only a trifle shorter than the second. They have strong legs, high tarsi, and thick, sharp claws. 

 Their large, high, and slender beak is of a conical form, and but very slightly bent at its extremity. 

 Their thick plumage is heavy, and is composed of small feathers, presenting but a very slight 

 development of down. The base of the beak is covered with stiff bristles, of which from three to 

 five of still stiffer and larger size are scattered over the region of the cheek-stripes. 



The Stilted Fly-catchers are frequently met with in the immediate neighbourhood of human 

 habitations, and in such open plains as are almost entirely destitute of trees or bushes, near ponds, 

 rivers, or even in marshy districts, everywhere subsisting upon insects, and carrying on the pursuit 

 of their prey exactly in the same manner as the birds above described. 



THE YIPERU, OR YETAPA. 



The Yiperu, or Yetapa — Cunningham's Bush Shrike — (Gubernates Yiperu), a well-known 

 member of this group, has a slender body, large wings, and very long, forked tail. Its beak is 

 thick and broad at its base, the upper mandible considerably arched, and furnished with a strong, 

 short hook at its extremity ; the legs, though short, are powerful, the toes of moderate size, and 

 armed with slightly-curved claws. The plumage is thick and soft, that of the wings and tail being 

 unusually heavy. The back and under side of the body are grey, the wings and tail black, with a 

 white patch at the shoulder, and a light red spot on the outer web of the large quills. The throat is 

 white, separated from the grey breast by a reddish brown line, which extends as far as the eyes ; the 

 brow is of a whitish shade, the eye itself reddish brown, and the beak and feet black. The length of 

 this species is fifteen inches, of which nine are included in the length of the exterior tail-feathers, 

 whilst those in the centre are not more than two and a half inches long. The span of the wings is 

 about fifteen inches. 



We learn from Azara that the Yetapas principally frequent such plains as are only partially 

 covered with brushwood or trees, and fly about in small parties, seeking for their insect food upon the 

 ground. Their cry is monotonous but penetrating. 



THE COCK-TAILED FLY-CATCHER. 



The Cock-tailed Fly-catcher (Akdrurus tricolor) — the other member of this group which we 

 have selected for description — is easily recognisable by its short, stiff tail, in which sometimes the 

 two exterior and sometimes the centre feathers are of very peculiar appearance, owing to the 

 very irregular development of the web. The thick conical beak terminates in a delicate hook, 

 the legs are slender, the tarsi high, and the toes long. The wings are of moderate size and pointed, 

 the third quill being longer than the rest ; the first and second are much incised and narrow towards 

 the tip. The plumage is soft, composed of small feathers, and the bristles on the cheek-stripes are 

 unusually large. In the male bird the inner web of the very broad centre tail-feathers is much 

 developed ; the body is almost entirely black, the throat, belly, and shoulders being white. The 

 plumage of the female and young is yellowish brown, except upon the throat, which is whitish, with 

 various light markings, and the centre tail-feathers are no broader than those at the side ; all have 

 greyish brown eyes. The beak is of a dirty light brown, and the feet dark brown. The length of the 

 Cock-tailed Fly-catcher is five and a half, and the tail about nine inches. The wing measures two 

 and a half, and the tail two inches. 



These birds inhabit all the plains of South America, and, according to Azara and D'Orbigny, 

 perch throughout the entire day upon the high grass, from whence they rise to catch the insects as 

 they pass, and then sink with outspread wings and tail to their former lurking-place ; they rarely fly to 



