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INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. 
COTINGAS. (Ampelis. Lin.) 
In this family of birds the bill is short, somewhat depressed, 
higher than it is wide, hard, solid, triangular at the base, compress- 
ed and notched at the point, a little convex above, and somewhat 
abruptly reflected at the point. Nostrils basal, lateral, rounded, 
half way closed by a membrane, and thinly covered by the advanc- 
ing hairs of the face. The feet of moderate size ; the tarsus about 
the length, or shorter than the middle toe, the lateral toe united to 
the adjoining up to the 2d joint. Wings moderate in size, the 1st 
quill not so long as the 2d, which is the longest. 
These birds are remarkable for the brilliance of their plumage, and 
with the exception of our Blue-Bird, are peculiar to the warmer 
parts of America. Inhabiting the tropics, their migrations are con- 
fined to a narrow compass. They appear in numbers twice a year 
in the vicinity of habitations, but in the breeding season associate 
only in pairs. They frequent the borders of rivulets and marshes, 
and live much on insects, particularly the destructive Termes. They 
also frequent the rice fields, devouring the grain probably while in 
the unripe state ; they also feed on fruits. The Pampadour builds 
in large trees on the borders of rivers, and selects the higher branches, 
but does not dwell in the great forests. The Guiraroo utters a some- 
what disagreeable cry. Our bird is also related to the section Saxi- 
COLiE of Turdus , and particularly to the Blue Thrush, which it so 
much resembles in color. This bird like ours has sometimes the same 
habit of nesting in hollow trees, and lays even pale greenish, spotless 
eggs ; more commonly however, it quits its wild retreats in the 
mountains, selecting an elevated tower or steeple for its nest ; and 
here the male passes much of his time in song, during the period of 
incubation. His tones are rather tender and plaintive ; while thus 
employed his lively emotions display themselves in action, he rises 
upwards, erects the feathers of his head, spreads his tail, and flutters 
with his wings. They are also daring in the defence of their young ; 
arrive in the warmer parts of Europe in April, departing at the close 
of August, and like our Blue-Bird, they faithfully return to the same 
place where they have once taken up their residence : they are en- 
deared and venerated even to superstition by the inhabitants. The 
greater length of the bill, which is however of the same general form, 
opposes its artificial association with our Blue-Bird, though its man- 
