150 NORTHERN ZOOLOGY. 



In the form of the bill we likewise observe a superior adaptation for general 

 purposes. The notch or emargination near the points of the mandibles is suffi- 

 ciently strong to assist the Thrushes in gaining a firm hold of their food ; but as 

 their nourishment consists, for the most part, of soft substances, it is not developed 

 into that formidable tooth which is seen in the Shrikes; while the superior length 

 of the bill enables these birds not only to capture food that is exposed, but also 

 such as is wholly or in part concealed just below the surface of the earth. The 

 Shrikes, by the aid of their formidable tooth, tear their food in pieces, like the 

 rapacious birds ; while the Thrushes exhibit the last indication of such a habit, by 

 beating their prey either upon the ground or upon a stone, — thus adopting the 

 intermediate stage of preparation between devouring their animal nourishment by 

 piecemeal, and swallowing it in an entire state. But the food of the Thrushes is 

 not confined to insects : fruits of all kinds are equally acceptable ; and thus they 

 again imitate the Conirostres in deriving support both from the animal and the 

 vegetable world *. 



The third striking peculiarity which Nature has bestowed more particularly on 

 the Thrushes is evinced in the sweetness, melody, and versatility of their voice, in 

 which they may be said to surpass all other animals of the creation. The stillness 

 of night, and perhaps more poetic associations, may give to the song of the Night- 

 ingale a greater charm ; yet many will join us in awarding to the Song Thrush a 

 higher meed of praise. Both these, however, must yield to the American Mocking- 

 bird, — the Orpheus of the feathered race, to whose powers the poetic pen of a 

 Wilson has done ample justice. Such are the most prominent characters of this 

 family : its relations to the last remain to be stated. 



The Edoliance, or Drongo Shrikes, as formerly remarked, are conspicuous for a 

 compressed bill, gradually arched from the base, where it is beset by rigid bristles 

 of unusual length. The feet likewise are short ; while the tail, although greatly 

 forked in the typical species, is much less so in others , as, for instance, in the 

 Drongo Moustache of Le Vaillant (Ois. cVAfr., iv., pi. 169), where the bristles 



* Mr. Selby, in his descriptive volume to the Illustrations of British Ornithology, gives the following interesting 

 information on the food of the Song Thrush : " Insects and worms compose its food during summer, and the animal 

 that inhabits the Helix nemoralis is also a favourite repast ; for this purpose it breaks the shell by repeated strokes upon 

 a stone ; and numerous remains of these shells may be seen around particular selected stones, generally on some pathway 

 or bare spot of earth, where these birds and their congeners abound." — i., p. 156. If simplicity of style, perspicuity of 

 arrangement, intelligible nomenclature, and originality of information, are thought essential requisites to any work on 

 British animals, Mr. Selby's volumes will be the standard authorities in this department of our Fauna. The price 

 of the octavo edition, which includes the whole of the letter-press, places this essential part of his noble work within 

 reach of the most humble student. — Sw. 



