SAXICOLIN^. 
65 
fifth subfamily. These, for the most part, are solitary 
and shy, living on heaths, moors, and desert plains, 
where they are generally seen pursuing insects upon 
the ground. This economy, so totally different from 
all the warblers we have hitherto noticed, is accom- 
panied by several peculiarities of structure : the legs 
are very long and muscular ; while the bill, as in all 
birds which live upon winged insects, is broad at the 
base, and provided with 
weak bristles, to confine the 
struggles of their prey. The 
SuxicolijB (& pileata, fig. 
137. ) proceed by running 
very swiftly, and thus imi- 
tate the wagtails, which 
proceed in the same manner, 
and the swallows, which 
skim the surface of the 
ground by flight. The 
stonechats, properly speak- 
ing, are birds restricted to the Old Continent, and we 
bave three examples of the group in England, viz. the 
white-rump, or wbeatear, the whinchat, and the stone- 
chat. The first indication of their habits is seen in the 
common redbreast (Ery- 
tlmca rubecola Sw., fig. 
138. ) which thus forms a 
passage from the redstarts : 
close to this well-known 
species must be placed, as 
subgenera, the American 
blue-birds (Sialia Sw.), and 
the Australian robins (Pe- 
tro’ica Sw.); from these to 
^ e true stonechats (Sameola Bech.), the passage appears 
ery gradual; while the genus Thumnobia, now first 
c ned, leads us to the stronger and more hook-billed 
genus Gryllimm. 
(/3.) The fifth, or grallatorial genus of the Saxico- 
VOL. 11 . „ 
