1848.] 
HABITS OF BIRDS. 
83 
of tlie various small birds, and making myself acquainted 
with their habits. None were more abundant, both in 
species and individuals, than the bush-shrikes, which are 
all remarkable for the same kind of falling note I have 
already alluded to, though each one has some slight 
peculiarity by which it may be distinguished. They 
generally hide themselves in the very thickest and most 
impenetrable bushes, where it is impossible to see them 
except by creeping up within a distance of two yards, 
when it is difficult to shoot, without blowing them to 
pieces. They are small birds with very loose, long, 
silky feathers, prettily banded or spotted with black 
and white, and are constantly hopping about the bushes 
and twigs, picking off whatever small insects they fall 
in with. 
The ant-thrushes are another closely allied group, 
which are equally abundant. They have stronger legs 
and very short tails, and walk more on the ground, 
picking up insects, especially ants, very much after the 
manner of poultry. When one is shot, it is often a 
dangerous matter to go and fetch it, for the ground 
generally swarms with ants, which attack an intruder 
most unmercifully both with stings and jaws. Many 
times, after a fruitless attempt, have I been obliged to 
leave the dead body on the field, and beat an inglorious 
retreat. 
In all works on Natural History, we constantly find 
details of the marvellous adaptation of animals to their 
food, their habits, and the localities in which they are 
found. But naturalists are now beginning to look beyond 
this, and to see that there must be some other principle 
