PERCHING BIRDS. 
The Thrushes, (Family 7urdide@) are variously classified by different 
ornithologists, but under the ruling of the American Ornithologists’ 
Union they are grouped in the same family with the Bluebird, Solitaires, 
and Stonechats. This family numbers about three hundred species, 
of which about one-half are true Thrushes (Subfamily 7urdine). ‘The 
members of this subfamily are, as a rule, fine singers, many of them 
being among the best known song birds, and froma musical point of 
view the group, as a whole, is usually given the first place among birds. 
If, however, all the fifteen known species of Solitaires sing as well 
as the four species it has been my privilege to hear, I am assured that 
no one would dispute their claim to the highest rank which can be 
awarded singing birds. . 
In the succeeding pages, the five hundred and fifty odd species and 
subspecies included in the preceeding families of the Order Passeres 
are grouped according to some obvious color character in order to 
facilitate their identification in life. A satisfactory arrangement of this 
kind is out of the question. Lines sharply separating the groups pro- 
posed do not exist and some species appear to fit in one section as well 
asin another. Nevertheless, it is hoped that in most instances, the 
system will be found to serve the purpose intended. Under its ruling 
our Perching Birds are grouped as follows: 
1. With red markings. 
With blue markings. 
3. With orange or yellow markings. 
4. With reddish brown or chestnut markings, chiefly in the form of 
patches or uniformly colored areas. 
Brownish, generally streaked birds. 
Dull, inconspicuously colored birds, without prominent markings. 
7. Gray, black, or black and white birds. 
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While the first object of the bird student is to learn to name birds I 
would again urge him to acquaint himself with at least the arrange- 
ment of the Orders and Families of our birds and their leading struct- 
ural characters. (see page 2.) 
Having identified a bird, its family may always be determined by re- 
ferring to its number in the systematic list of birds at the end of the 
book; and the more important characters of its Order and Family will 
be found in the synopsis of Orders and Families beginning on page 9. 
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