260 PERCHERS AND SINGERS 
birds have been specially developed by Nature to combat 
and destroy the hordes of insects destructive to fruit, grain 
and tree life, which otherwise would in a short time increase 
to such enormous numbers that no vegetation could with- 
stand their attacks. 
To the average reader, the Order of Perching and Singing 
Birds may at first seem difficult to grasp; but in reality it is 
not. A knowledge of forty birds will give one a very good 
idea of its various Families; and any one can learn about 
forty birds. After this Order has been mastered, all others 
will be found quite easy. The examples introduced have been 
selected with great care, and, concerning those illustrated, the 
pictures will tell of their forms and markings far better than 
wordy descriptions could do. 
THE THRUSH FAMILY 
Turdidae 
Tue Rosrn.'—All lovers of birds should agree in placing 
this dear old friend at the head of the list of the birds of this 
continent. This is because it is the highest avian type. It 
has typical plumage, it flies well, it perches, it sings beauti- 
fully, it migrates, and its anatomy is thoroughly representa- 
tive. Moreover, it quickly discerns a friend and protector, 
and it is not driven away by the English sparrow. 
Of all our birds, the Robin comes the nearest to being 
““folks.”” It is always one of the first birds to arrive in the 
spring, it-remains all summer, and it is one of the last to de- 
1 Me-ru'la mi-gra-to'ri-a. Length, from end of beak to end of tail, 9 to 10 
inches. 
