138 
SALICAIUA. 
ing a marked group both in form and habits. 
As partly indicated by their name, they fre- 
quent the vicinity of water, or at least marshy 
lands. Many of them build their nests among 
reeds, amidst which, and other aquatic plants or 
shrubs, they spend their days, skulking and climb- 
ing about them, using their wedge-shaped tail 
as an accessory, and deriving sustenance from 
the insects which affect these localities. Another 
feature in their economy, and in which an alli- 
ance may be traced between them and the 
African and American “Babblers,”* also frequent- 
ing aquatic situations, is their almost incessant 
noise, it can scarcely be called song. At times 
this is kept up as an ill-natured chatter, particu- 
larly on being disturbed ; but when undisturbed 
it is uttered sitting on some low twig, with the 
wings rather drooping. A number of natural 
notes are produced, but the faculty of imitating 
parts of the song of other birds is more developed 
than in any other European genus. These are 
introduced in constant succession, and with great 
volubility, they are often continued very late ; 
and in clear moonlight almost during the whole 
night. 
Salicaria, Selby. — Genetic characters . — Bill 
straight, subulate, with a distinct culmen, 
rather depressed at the base, and slightly 
bristled; tip very slightly deflected and 
notched ; forehead narrow and depressed ; 
* Crateropus, Meglurus, Swain. Donacobius, &c. 
