17 
CHAP. IV. 
the DENTIROSTRAL order continued. — THE MERULID^, 
OR THRUSHES. 
(17.) The family we are now to investigate is the most 
numerous, and consequently the most diversified, of the 
toothed-bill tribe. It is composed of birds inferior to 
the shrikes in that particular organisation adapted for 
rapacious habits ; in other words, the bill is much less 
toothed ; and yet, in all other respects, they are certainly 
superior in the scale of creation. Their feet are 
not only stronger, hut are as much adapted for perching 
as for walking, for constant use in moving among 
trees as for habitual exercise upon the ground. 
The blackbird of Europe 122.), the fieldfare, and 
the whole of the typical thrushes (^MeruUna), are 
familiar examples of this perfection of structure, and 
will give the student a very good idea of the general size 
and appearance of the different genera in this division. 
Like the corvine or 
crow family, — of 
which, in fact, they 
are but represent, 
tives, — these birds 
make their way upon 
the ground, in the 
air, and among trees, 
with equal facility ; 
and this perfection 
of foot is more or less prevalent throughout the fa- 
mily. The form of the bill, also, shows a superior 
adaptation for general purposes : the notch near the 
VOL. n. c 
