OF NEW ENGLAND. 133 
mewing of a cat,” or equally peculiar noises. Wilson, from 
whom I have already quoted, says that ‘all these are uttered 
with great vehemence, in such different keys, and with such 
peculiar modulations of voice, as sometimes to seem at a con- 
siderable distance and instantly as if just beside you; now on 
this hand, now on that.” Wilson’s biography of this bird is 
extremely interesting, but unfortunately too long for transcrip- 
tion. 
§10. The Tanagrida, or tanagers, form a brilliant group, 
intermediate between the finches and warblers (see fig. 5). 
They have nine primaries, and scutellate tarsi. All the North 
American species are characterized more or less plainly by a 
tooth in the middle of the commissure. The Scarlet Tanager 
may be considered a type. They have been called ‘‘dentiros- 
tral finches,” but, on the other hand, are closely allied to the 
warblers through the chats. 
The Icteriine, however, are distinguished by the following 
features from the tanagers and all other warblers, except 
Geothlypes. Wings about equal in length to the tail. They 
differ from Geothlypes in having an unnotched, unbristled bill, 
which is not more than twice as long as high, if as much; also 
in size, being larger than any of the true warblers. ‘They 
are represented in the United States, virtually by one species 
only.” 
The Ampelidee (§ 11) are in New England represented only 
by the Ampelinee or waxwings. This subfamily should, per- 
haps, stand near the Clamatores (to whom the Corvide bear 
no direct affinity), but their true position has not yet been de- 
‘termined. They are usually placed next to the swallows, whom 
they resemble in the scutellate tarsi, and in the bill, which is 
broad, and only about half as long as the commissure. (See 
§§ T, U, of the Introduction.) They have, however, ten prima- 
ries, of which the first is spurious, and a notch in the bill. 
They are also crested, and in full plumage have curious wax- 
like appendages to certain quills, ‘‘and sometimes the tail- 
feathers” (pl. 1, figs. 10 and 11). They show an affinity to 
