STARLITsGS. 
143 
genera Cassicus and Zantliornis of M. Brisson, 
together with Fenduliniis, A^ieilL, and several corre- 
sponding groups, we may observe the genus Amhlij- 
* Leach, united to the family, 'as also the 
Bupliaga, Linn., and Fastor and Lamprotornis. The 
whole of the family, united by their manners and 
straight and conical form of the beak, the ridge of 
wdiich passes back to some extent over the forehead, 
may be observed, by those who cast even a casual 
glance over the three adjoining groups, to hold an 
intermediate rank between the weaker conformation 
of the Fringillida and the more powerful structure of 
the CorvidcB.* 
An interesting group in this family is formed by 
the Grackles {Lamprotornincc) . They are birds of 
handsome plumage,, being generally black, glossed with 
the most beautiful metallic lustres of green and' blue. 
The uncommon brilliancy of the plumage of some of 
the species induced many naturalists to associate them 
with the Paradise Birds. The whole group appears 
to he confined to the tropics of Asia and Africa. They 
are gregarious, appearing in numerous flocks, and 
destroy the countless hosts of locusts and other large 
species of insects that are destructive to the produce 
of the fields in those warm 
regions. The chief peculiarities 
of the Grackles consist in a 
strong thrush-like hill, gene- 
rally notched, but never an- 
gulated at the base, as in the 
* On the hTatural Affinities that connect the Orders and Families of 
Birds : Vigors. 
