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THE FLY-CATCHERS. 
The color of the ad nit male is bright yellow over the whole of the head, neck, and body, 
with the exception of the wings, the two central tail-feathers, and the basal portions of the 
lemaining feathers, which are jetty black, the two colors contrasting finely with each other. 
Across the eye runs a dark stripe, and the eyes themselves are bright pinky red. In the 
young bird the yellow is of a dusky greenish hue, and the black feathers are of a dingy brown, 
and, according to Mr. Yarrell, the young males after their first moult resemble the old females! 
In the second year the yellow of the back is more decided, and the wings and tail are of a 
deeper black, and in many of the remaining feathers the colors are less brilliant than in the 
bird of full plumage. It is rather curious that as the bird breeds in its second year, it is 
hardly possible to distinguish the sexes, both wearing the same greenish-yellow and brownish- 
black apparel. The total length of the Gulden Oriole is not quite ten inches. 
There are many other Orioles known to ornithologists which cannot be described in these 
pages for lack of space, and it must be sufficient to record the Mango Bird of India ( Oriolus 
Tcundoo ), remarkable for its peculiarly melancholy cry, and the Black-headed Oriole of Bengal 
0 Oriolus melanoceplicdus ), notable for its lengthened monotonic flute-like note. None of the 
true Orioles are found in America ; and the reader must be careful not to confound those 
birds, which are nearly allied with the starlings, with the Orioles of the eastern hemisphere, 
the only resemblance between them being a similarity of coloring. 
Before quitting this interesting family of birds, we must give a passing notice to the 
Bulbuls, so well known by the repeated references to them in Oriental writings. Some of 
the species are possessed of remarkably sweet voices, and are popularly called nightingales. 
They are easily tamed, becoming very fond of a kind owner, and can be taught to perform 
many interesting tricks. One species is kept for the purpose of fighting, and is trained for 
this object as carefully as gamecocks were formerly trained for the cruel amusement of their 
owners. In a wild state they are generally found in the woods and jungles, and are in the 
habit of visiting gardens for the sake of preying upon the ripened fruits and insects. They 
are all exotic birds, and are only found in the eastern hemisphere. 
FLY-CATCHERS. 
The interesting family of the Fly-catchers is composed of a large number of species, 
extremely variable in size, form, and color. The average dimensions of these birds are about 
equal to those of a large sparrow, and many are smaller than that bird, although two or three 
species nearly equal the thrush in size. Their shape is always neat and elegant, and their 
plumage sits closely on the body in order to permit the short but rapid evolutions which they 
make in pursuit of their active prey. One or two, such as the Paradise and Fork-tailed Fly- 
catchers, are remarkable for the mode in which the tail is elongated into a graceful and elegant 
train, and in other species the tail is broad and fan-like. In color the Fly-catchers are mostly 
of sober but pleasing tints, but there are several notable exceptions to the rule, such as the 
Crested Fly-catcher {PyrocepJialus coron&tus ), remarkable for the crown of fiery scarlet 
feathers which decorates the top of the head, the Blue Mltava ( JYiltdva sundara), which has 
its broad back and tail of a brilliant azure, and the SelopTiagus picta , whose abdomen is of a 
bright scarlet. 
The bill of the Fly-catcher is of various lengths, but is almost invariably rather hard and 
flattened at the base, slightly curved at the point, and compressed towards the tip. At the 
corners of the mouth are generally several long bristles like those of the nightjar, and prob- 
ably placed there for the same purpose, i. e., to aid the bird in the capture of its insect prey. 
The wings are long and firmly made, and the feet are slender and feeble in comparison with 
the dimensions of the body; 
