AVES. 343 
The other species of mocking birds inhabit South America, but are not 
represented as possessing vocal powers at all comparable to the species 
of the north. 
The rufous thrush or thrasher, Mimus rufus, is classed here. He is 
usually rated as the next best songster of all birds, appearing in Pennsy]- 
vania about the first of May, and thence extending northwards to Canada. 
The cat bird, M. carolinensis, is also a member of this extensive grou) 
of birds. No bird is better known in the United States, and, notwith- 
standing his usually unpleasant notes, he can, upon sufficient inducement, 
raise a very respectable song. 
Sub-fam. 3. Timaline, or Babblers. Bill moderate, rather long, com- 
pressed ; wings short, rounded; tail generally rather long and graduated ; 
tarsi long, robust ; toes long, strong; claws long, acute. Size moderate. 
A remarkable group of long-tailed thrush-like birds inhabiting all parts 
of the world except Europe, and remarkable for their fantastic movements 
and singular voices. The note uttered by one of these birds is compared 
by a distinguished naturalist (Mr. Jerdon), who long resided in India, to 
a sort of cracked Punch-and-Judy laugh, which is no sooner begun by one, 
than the others of the flock follow in chorus. 
The Indian babblers (genus Timalia) are abundant in the cultivated 
grounds around the villages of India, generally frequenting the ground in 
search of insects and seeds. They utter continually a low chattering noise, 
which is occasionally changed to a loud guttural cry, though some of the 
species are capable of singing quite agreeably. 
The only representative of this sub-family in the United States is the 
yellow-breasted chat, Icteria viridis, which is rather frequently heard in 
marshy and bushy places, but, being very shy, is less frequently seen. It is 
a very handsome bird, olive green above, and fine yellow on the lower 
parts of its body. Like the other birds of this sub-family, it is remarkable 
for its curious voice. “First is heard,” says Wilson, “a repetition of short 
notes resembling the whistling of the wings of a duck or teal, beginning 
loud and rapid, and falling lower and slower till they end in detached notes ; 
then a succession of others, something like the barking of young puppies, 
followed by a variety of hollow guttural sounds, each eight or ten times 
repeated, more like those proceeding from the throat of a quadruped than 
that of a bird, which are succeeded by others not unlike the mewing of a 
cat, but considerably hoarser.” 
This bird inhabits the whole of the United States ; another species, very 
similar, has been discovered in California. 
Sub-fam. 4. Orioline, or Orioles. Bill rather long, broad at base, stout, 
and compressed ; wings long, rather rounded ; tail moderate, rather wide ; 
tarsi and feet short and strong. Colors mostly yellow. 
These birds are confined to the old world, being most abundant in India. 
One species, O. galbula (pl. 100, fig. 8), occasionally visits Europe. It is 
a very handsome bird, of pure lemon yellow plumage, somewhat resembling 
the Baltimore oriole, though much larger. The birds of the present sub- 
family must not, however, be confounded with the American orioles, which 
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