Order II. PASSERES. Tribe III, Dentirostres. Family I. Ltjscinid;e. 



The second Subfamily, 



LUSCININ.E, or Warblers, 



have the Bill more or less long, slender, and straight ; with the culmen curved at the tip, which is 

 slightly emarginated ; the sides compressed, and the gonys long and ascending ; the Nostrils basal, and 

 placed in a membranous groove, with the opening usually exposed : the Wings moderate, and sometimes 

 rounded : the Tail moderate, and rounded at the end : the Tarsi more or less lengthened, slender, and 

 covered with broad scales, the divisions of which are sometimes obliterated : the Toes more or less long, 

 slender ; the outer toe generally longer than the inner, and united at its base : the Claws long, curved, 

 and acute. 



Calamodyta Mey. fy Wolf. * 



Bill rather small, and straight ; with the culmen very slightly curved, and the sides compressed to 

 the tip, which is scarcely emarginated ; the lateral margins straight, and slightly inflexed ; the gonys 

 long and ascending ; the gape sometimes furnished with very short weak bristles ; the nostrils basal, 

 placed in a membranous groove, with the opening oval and exposed. Wings rather short ; with the 

 first quill very short, the second rather shorter than the third and fourth, which are equal and longest. 

 Tail moderate, broad, and rounded. Tarsi slender, longer than the middle toe, and covered in front 

 with broad scales ; sometimes the divisions between them are scarcely visible. Toes rather long, and 

 slender ; the outer toe longer than the inner one, and slightly united at the base, and the hind toe long 

 and strong ; the claws moderate, curved, and acute. 



The species of this genus are peculiar to the Old World. They are found in marshes, on the borders of rivers among 

 the reeds, and in low damp situations overgrown with brambles and underwood, among which they creep with surprising 

 quickness, and where they generally remain concealed, owing to their great caution and shyness. Their song varies 

 with the species, and is sometimes imitative of other birds. Insects, worms, and slugs form their chief food. The nest 

 is placed by some in the bushes, while others are suspended between three or four of the closest adjoining reeds, stems, 

 or rushes. It is composed of moss and grass, lined with feathers, &c. The eggs are four or five in number. 



* Established by Meyer and Wolf in 1815 ; with which Acrocephalus of Naumann (1819), Calamoherpe of M. Boie (1822), Salicaria 

 of Mr. Selby (1833)., Dumeticala of Mr. Blyth, and Agrobates of Mr. Jerdon (1839) are synonymous. It contains also Locustella, 

 Calamodus, and Alsoeus, of Dr. Kaup (1829) ; Cettia and Pseudo-luscinia of the Prince of Canino, the latter changed by His Highness to 

 Lusciniopsis in 1842; Lusciniola of G. 11. Gray (1841); Iduna of Count Keyserling and Dr. Blasius (1840); and Tribura of 

 Mr. Hodgson (1845). 



