CLASS II. AYES: ORDER 2. PASSERES. 
12T 
THE BABBLERS. 
This group, called Tifnalincs, are small, noisy, gregarious birds, belonging to Asia and the Asi- 
atic Islands and Australia ; they live exclusively in the forests, feeding on insects ; some of the 
species on fruit. Many of them have a sweet song, and some are excellent imitators of other 
birds. Some are noted for a singular cry, which resembles a loud human laugh, and this peculi- 
arity has obtained for two or three of the species the names of the Laughing Groxo and Laughing 
Thrush from the Europeans in India. The cry of the Laughing Thrush, Pterocydus cachinnans, 
is said by Dr. Jerdon to be a peculiar "sort of cracked Punch and Judy laugh," which is no 
sooner commenced by one than several others take up the chorus. The Garrulax lexicolo'phus^ 
or Laughing Crow, is also said to produce a sound closely resembling the human laugh. Some 
of these birds, as, for instance, the Black-faced Thrush, Garrulax chinensis, are tamed, and are 
amusing pets. The Malacocircus Malcomi of India is noted for its courage, and the Spotted 
Ground-Thrush of Australia, Cinclosoma punctatum — called Ground-Hawk at Hobart Town — 
is greatly esteemed for its flesh. 
THE TURDINJE OR TRUE THRUSHES. 
Of these the species are numerous in all parts of the globe ; they generally frequent fields and 
pastures in search of food, but retire to the woods and thickets for security w^hen roosting, and 
during the breeding season. Their nests are usually very neatly made, composed of grasses, 
twigs, and moss, frequently lined with a thin layer of mud, within which is another layer of soft 
vegetable substances for the reception of the eggs. The latter are usually five or six in number, 
variable in color, but commonl}'- freckled with dark spots. The food of the thrushes consists both 
of animal and vegetable matters, such as insects and their larvae, worms, snails, fruits and seeds. 
THE BLACKBIKD. 
Genus TURDUS: Turdus. — This includes numerous migratory species, visiting temperate 
countries either from the south in summer or from the north in winter, and popularly known for 
their song and their pleasing habits. Many of them, Avhich are not found in America, are still ren- 
dered interesting and familiar to American readers from the constant allusions to them in English 
literature. One of the best known is the Blackbird, T. merida — the Merle Noir of the French ; 
Mulo of the Italians ; and Schivarz Lrossel of the Germans ; it is about ten inches long, which is 
nearl)^ the size of the Purple Grakle, which we call Blaclchivd in this country. Its color is black, 
the bill yellow ; but albinos, entirely white, are sometimes known. It breeds early in the spring, 
usually forming its nest in a thick bush ; the eggs are four or fiv^e in number. It frequents 
hedges, thickets, plantations, and gardens; is shy, restless, and vigilant, and if disturbed takes wing 
with a cry of alarm. It feeds on larvas, snails, worms, insects, and fruits. The song is loud and 
