* 
126 VERTEBRATA. 
and the toes armed with long, curved, and acute claws. These birds are peculiar to South America, 
and in their general habits resemble the fly-catchers. Many of them perch upon trees and bushes, 
and thence dash off into the air in pursuit of insects on the wing ; others are never seen in the neigh- 
borhood of woods, but appear to prefer fields in the vicinity of water, where they rest on the rushes 
and other aquatic plants. It is in the male only that the great development of the tail above alluded 
to is seen ; the feathers of this part exhibit several peculiarities of structure. The two external fea- 
thers have the barbs much broader on one side than on the other, and the two central feathers, which 
are the most elongated, frequently have the barbs decomposed, and the termination of the shaft 
naked. They are small birds, the Tki-colored Alectrurus, A. tricolor, being only six inches long. 
THE TUEDIDJE OR THEUSITES. 
This family, the numerous species of which feed on insects, worms, and fruits, and usually move 
on the ground by hopping with both feet at once, includes several interesting and well-known 
groups, as the Bulhuls, Orioles, Bahhlers, True Thrushes, Ant-Thrushes, Warblers, Titlarks, 
Bush- Creepers, Titmice, Robins, Nightingales, Tailor-Birds, (fee. 
THE BULBULS. 
These birds belong chiefly to India, though a few are found in Africa; their sprightliness ren- 
ders them general favorites ; several species are greatly admired as songsters ; they inhabit woods, 
jungles, and gardens, and feed on fruits and seeds, and occasionally on insects. One species, the 
Pycnonotus jocosus, is easily tamed and taught to sit on its master's hand. Great numbers may 
be seen in the bazaars of India. Another species, the Pycnonotus hcemorrhous, is kept for fighting. 
The under tail-coverts are red, and it is said the combatants endeavor to seize and pull out these 
feathers. The eggs are three to four in number, of a whitish color, with dark blotches. 
THE ORIOLES. 
These live in woods and shrubby places, usually in pairs, suspending their nests at the extremi- 
ties of the branches of trees. The males are generally beautiful birds, a golden-yellow being the 
predominant color in their plumage. Their food consists of insects and fruits. They are, for the 
most part, inhabitants of tropical countries ; but a single species, the Golden Oriole, Oriolus 
Galbula, (see page 6,) migrates into Europe, in the southern parts of which it is abundant. It 
is of a bright yellow color, Avitli the wings and tail black ; the female is greenish-yellow above, 
and whitish beneath, with the wings and tail brown. It is about the size of our common 
robin. Its voice is loud, and has been compared to the sound of a flute ; Bechstein says it resem- 
bles the word ^:'^^/^/o. The names given to the bird in diff'erent European languages are sup- 
posed to be, to a certain extent, imitations of its note. The Spaniards call it Turiol, the French 
Loriot, the English Oriole ; and two of the German names are Pirol and Bulow. 
The note of some of the Indian species is described as very similar to that attributed by Bech- 
stein to the European bird. A nearly allied species, the Mango-Bird or Golden Oriole of 
India, Oriolus Kundoo, is said to have a loud, mellow, plaintive cry, resembling pee-ho, and Mr- 
Pearson says of the Black-headed Oriole, 0. melanocephalus, which is common in Bengal, 
that it has a monotonous, low note, resembling "one lengthened, full-toned note on the flute," 
which is so constantly repeated during the spring that it is a positive nuisance. 
Most of the other species of the group resemble the golden oriole, both in character and habits; 
but one species, the Regent-Bird or King Honey-Eater, Sericulus chrysocephalus, of Australia, 
is remarkable for having the tip of the tongue terminated by a pencil of fine filaments like that 
of the honey-eaters, among which this bird has indeed been placed by some authors. The male 
is one of the most beautiful of Australian birds ; its plumage, which is very glossy and satin-like, 
is variegated with two colors, deep black and brilliant yellow, the latter tinged with orange in 
some places. The female is dingy in its appearance. The Regent-Birds are found in the warmer 
parts of the Australian continent, where they inhabit the recesses of the forests, and appear to be 
exceedingly shy, feeding upon fruits and seeds. Our beautiful birds, the Baltimore and Orchard 
Orioles, belong to the Icterinoi, and will be noticed under that head. 
