344 ZOOLOGY. 
do not belong here. The black-headed oriole, O. melanocephalus, is one 
of the most common Indian species. Its plumage is fine yellow, with the 
head black. 
One of the most beautiful of this group is the golden-headed oriole, Seri- 
culus chrysocephalus, of Australia. Its plumage is of the most splendid 
golden yellow and black. It is frequently met with in collections of birds, 
and sold by dealers as a species of paradise bird. It appears to be a com- 
mon bird in Australia. 
Sub-fam. 5. Pycnonotine, or Bulbuls. Bill short, curved, compressed ; 
wings moderate, rather short, rounded; tail long, broad, rather rounded ; 
tarsi long; feet moderate, rather short and weak. Size small; head fre- 
quently crested. shia 
A small group, composed of about seventy-five species of birds, which 
exclusively inhabit Asia and Africa. They appear to have the general 
characters of the other groups of thrushes, live mostly in small parties, and 
feed indiscriminately upon fruits and insects. The Asiatic species are 
frequently remarkable for eminent vocal powers; and one of them, Pycno- 
notus jocosus, is the Eastern nightingale, or bulbul, of oriental poets. It is 
a bird scarcely as large as the cat bird of the United States, of plain brown 
on the back, and white below, with a black head and crest. Its song is 
said to be very melodious. ! 
There are a number of birds belonging to this sub-family, and nearly 
related to the bulbuls, which are found in Africa. 
Fam. 3. Muscicaripa, or Fiycatcuers. Bill of various lengths, gene- 
rally broad and depressed at the base, with the sides compressed at the tip; 
gape usually furnished with long and strong bristles; wings and tail gene- 
rally long; tarsi and feet generally short and weak. Size various, never 
very large, frequently quite small. 
A large family of birds, generally of small size and plain plumage, which 
are found in every country of the world. They most abound, however, 
within the tropics. 
There are about five hundred and fifty species of flycatchers. 
Sub-fam. 1. Queruline, or Mourning Flycatchers. Bill rather long, 
_ depressed, broad at base; gape furnished with strong bristles ; wings more 
or less lengthened ; tail long and broad; tarsi and feet short and strong. 
Size rather large. 
Containing only eight or ten birds, found in South America. They 
inhabit the forests, and are mostly observed in small parties. feeding on 
insects or fruits in the loftiest trees, and are said to have very plaintive 
notes. 
The red-necked flycatcher, Querula rubricollis, is the best known species. 
Its plumage is fine black, with a scarlet throat. The military flycatcher, 
Q. militaris, is another very showy species, though more rare. Its plumage 
is of fine scarlet. 
Sub-fam. 2. Alectrurine, or Walking Flycatchers. Bill more or less 
lengthened, broad at base, and rather depressed ; wings more or less long ; 
tail generally lengthened ; tarsi long and slender. Size small. 
548 
