62 
NATURAL HISTORY. [[UPPER FLOOR. 
ease and security* They are separated into three divisions, 
according to the form of the bill, each division containing 
several families and genera. 
The first division comprehends the Toothed Billed Birds 
Dentirostres ), which, like the Noble Birds of Prey, have a 
notch on each side of the tip of the upper mandible. Their 
gape is often armed with bristles. They generally live on 
insects, worms, &c. The Butcher Birds ( Lanius ), have a 
strong compressed bill; they are the most carnivorous of tire 
family, for the larger species frequently kill small or weak 
birds, and sticking them on thorns, pull them to pieces. 
The Fly-Catchers ( Muscicapa ), are known at first sight 
by their broad depressed beaks, and the strong bristles on 
each side of the gape. These birds live on insects, which 
they generally catch on the wdng. The Thrushes ( Merit- 
lidce ) have rather strong slender beaks, as the Dipper, 
or Water Ouzel ( Cinclus ), Case No. 10, which chiefly 
lives on the banks of rapid rivers in mountainous parts of 
the country, where they may be often seen flying down 
and diving under the stream in search of their food. The 
Thrushes ( Turdus) are in the same Case, and the Orioles 
(Oriolus ) ; the latter, which are peculiar for the brilliant 
golden colour of their plumage, are only occasional visitants 
to this country. 
The family of Warblers ( Sylviadce ), Cases Nos. 11 and 
12, have rather long but slender, weak bills. 
This family contains many genera and sub-genera, as 
the Accentor (Accentor), the Warblers (Sylvia), the 
Dartford Warbler (Melizophilus), the Crested Wrens (Re¬ 
gains), and the Wagtails (Molacilla); the Pipits ( Anthus ), 
which have much the appearance of Larks, but a more 
slender bill, and live chiefly on insects, like the rest of this 
family; the Wheat Ears ( Saccicola), and Titmice (Parus), 
amongst which is to be seen the Long-tailed Titmouse, 
or as it is commonly called, the Bottle Tit, because it forms 
a beautiful oval nest, arched over at the top, and having- 
only a small hole in the sides; it is constructed principally 
of moss and wool, and studded externally with Lichens. 
Like the rest of the Titmice, these birds have a numerous 
brood, and the young of this species, unlike most other 
birds, follow their parent until the ensuing spring. The 
Bearded Titmouse ( Calamophilus), lives in fenny places, 
and builds its nest near the ground amongst reeds. 
