merulidjE. 149 



MERULIDyE.— THRUSHES. 



The Thrushes, as we have already seen, constitute the second family of the Denti- 

 rostres. When viewed in reference to that particular formation of the bill from 

 which the name of this tribe has been derived, the Merulidce are clearly inferior to 

 the Laniadce. But if we regard the general perfection of their structure, we can 

 be at no loss to discover in this family a decided superiority over the last. The 

 feet are no longer so feebly or so partially constructed as to be specially adapted 

 for any one purpose. In the true Shrikes and the Bush Shrikes, these members, 

 although not of great strength, are nevertheless of a stronger make than in the 

 aberrant group ; they are longer, more muscular, and apparently capable of much 

 locomotion. This is particularly seen among the latter, where a feebleness of 

 wing betrays an incapacity for much flight. But neither in these typical groups, 

 much less in the short-legged Edoliance, Ceblepyrince, or Tyrannince, do we find 

 more than one or two solitary examples of walking birds ; indeed, the finely-acute 

 and well-curved claws, which is one of the great characteristics of the Shrikes, 

 evinces a natural disqualification for such an office. The above exceptions are the 

 genera Prionops and Saurophagus. These occupy aberrant stations, and evince 

 the partiality of nature for making her transitions through ambulatory birds, even 

 in a family so truly arborial as the Laniadce. 



But in the group we are now to investigate, the structure of the feet is alto- 

 gether different. There is not only a considerable augmentation of muscular- 

 strength thrown into these members, but they are equally well adapted either for 

 perching or walking, for constant use in moving among trees, or habitual exercise 

 upon the ground. The Fieldfare, the Blackbird, and all the true Thrushes, are 

 familiar examples of this typical perfection. Like the Corvine family, of which,, 

 in point of fact, they are the true representatives, these birds make their way 

 upon the ground, in the air, or among trees, with equal facility. The Fieldfares 

 and the Crows mutually assemble during the autumn in vast flocks, spread over our 

 pastures, and traverse the ground in all directions, searching for nearly the same 

 description of food. This perfection in the foot is more or less conspicuous 

 throughout the whole of this family, and hence becomes one of its most typical 

 characters. 



