89 
Cases 18—25 contain the Insectivorous Birds *. 
The family of Butcher Birds (Cases 18 and 27) are 
the giants of the group. They have strong compressed 
bills, and destroy great quantities of insects, and some 
of the larger kind even kill small birds, and young 
frogs, which they impale on thorns and devour at their 
leisure. Amongst the Butcher Birds are the genera 
Lanius, Thamnophilus and Platyrhynchus. 
The family of Fly Catchers (Cases 20 and 21) have 
very weak depressed bills, with long bristles at the 
gape ; they live chiefly on flies, which they catch on the 
wing, as the Fly Catcher, Fly Eater, &c. 
The family of Chatterers (Cases 22 and 23) are peculiar 
for the two outer toes of their feet being united toge¬ 
ther to the second joint, and they have depressed 
bills, as the Common Chatterer, Berry Eaters, and 
Manakins. 
The family of Thrushes (same Cases) have rather 
strong, subulate bills, as the Thrushes, Ant-Eaters, 
(Cases 24 and 25,) &c.; while the family of Warblers 
(same Cases) only differ from the Thrushes by their 
beaks being weaker and more slender; as the Warbler, 
Wrens, Wagtails, and Pippits. 
The Granivorous Birds t live chiefly on grain, 
seeds, and fruits, as the family of the Tanagers, (Cases 
26 and 27,) which are peculiar to America; and the 
Finches , (Case 28,) which are found in all parts of the 
globe. The Finches, which are eminently perching 
birds, have the claw of the hind toe curved; whilst 
the Larks, (Cases 26 and 27,) which are chiefly found 
on the ground, have it straight. 
The Tenuirostral Birds have the feet like the two 
former groups, but the hind toes and claws are generally 
much larger than the rest; their bills are slender, com¬ 
pressed, and frequently arched, and their tongue is 
often divided at the tip into numerous filaments, and is 
* See p. 73. 
f See p. 74. 
used 
ROOM XIII. 
Nat. Hist. 
