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SYLVIAD.E. 
IXSESSORES. 
DENTIROSTRES. SYLVIAD.E. 
PLATE LIV. 
WHEAT-EAR. 
Saxicola (ENANTHE. 
The numerous family of the Si/lviada, the last of the 
divisions of the Dentirostres previously mentioned, embraces 
nearly forty native British species, some permanently resident 
among us, some migratory. By various authors this large 
family has been as variously divided and subdivided, in ac¬ 
cordance with their different views. 
At the head of the Sylviada has been placed by some 
recent authors the genus Saxicola, on account of the affinity 
which its members have with the roch thrushes among the 
Merulida, and as forming a proper connecting link between 
that division of the Dentirostres and the summer warblers, 
of which the Sylviadre chiefly consists. 
Waste and barren districts, open downs and moors are 
the chief resort of most of the birds included in the genus 
Saxicola. They are lively, shy, and difficult of approach, 
except during the breeding season. Their food consists en¬ 
tirely of insects, which they take after the manner of the 
flycatchers, by darting upon them from the summit of a 
hillock, stone, or bush, or by pursuing them on the ground, 
which they are enabled to do with much celerity on account 
of their long and slender legs. All the species at present 
known are confined to the ancient Continent. The few 
