174 BIRDS OF THE WORLD 



the one illustrated, is pure white in colour. Another 

 species has a long, fleshy wattle hanging from the 

 base of the beak like the wattle of a Turkey. It stands 

 straight up when the bird is excited. The home of 

 the Naked-throated Bell-bird is in Brazil, where the 

 gloomy forests resound with its wonderful notes. 

 These resemble the sounds made by a clear ringing 

 bell, or, according to some travellers, the sound pro- 

 duced by a blacksmith when he strikes a piece of steel 

 on an anvil. The song is heard at all hours of the day, 

 and when, as often happens, several of these birds are 

 in the same neighbourhood and answer one another's 

 calls, a wonderful concert is the result. See Plate 10, 

 Fig. 48. 



American Flycatchers 



Among the non-singing Passerine birds are classed 

 the American Flycatchers. This family numbers 

 about three hundred and fifty species, and is confined 

 exclusively to the New World, By far the greater 

 number of these are found in the region of the tropics, 

 but as many as thirty-five species occur in North 

 America. In colouring the sexes are much alike, and 

 the nestlings resemble the parents. The prevailing 

 tints are olive-grey and brown, with touches of yellow 

 on the under parts. A few species, however, have 

 patches of bright-coloured feathers. 



Flycatchers are notable for the width of the beak 

 opening, as in the Goatsuckers, and for the bristles at 

 the angle of the mouth which are of assistance in cap- 

 turing their insect prey. The method of pursuing and 

 catching insects is characteristic of this entire family. 



