28 
NATURAL HISTORY. 
[EAST. ZOOL, 
with a few bristles; their wings lengthened and pointed; their tarsi 
elevated and slender. They inhabit barren places in various parts of 
the Old World, and are lively birds, which subsist on insects. The 
AccentorincB (Case 51) have their bills straight, rather short, and the 
tip compressed, with the margins bending inwards; their wings are 
lengthened and pointed; their tarsi strong and of a moderate length. 
They are found in both hemispheres, and feed on insects and small seeds, 
which they seek for on the ground and in the small bushes. The Tit¬ 
mice, ( Parince , Case 51,) the bills of which are short, conical, with the 
tips entire, and the base covered with a few bristles ; their nostrils are 
concealed by the frontal plumes. They are found in both hemispheres, 
and are very active little birds, continually flitting from branch to branch, 
and suspending themselves in all kinds of attitudes while seeking for in¬ 
sects on the trees. The Wood Warblers ( Sylvicolina , Case 52) are 
allied to the last series of birds, and like them have the bills conical, 
and generally with a dentation at the tip of the upper mandible. The 
majority of the species inhabit North America, and are commonly 
seen in low bushes near the margins of rivers and lakes, actively engaged 
in flying from tree to tree in search of caterpillars, &c. Others feed on 
fruits. The Wagtails ( Motacillince , Case 52) have the bill lengthened 
and slender ; their wings long and pointed; their tail generally very long 
and narrow, which they are continually shaking up and down; their tarsi 
elevated, and the hind toe long and armed with a long claw. They 
frequent the margins of rivers, inundated fields, &c., feeding on insects 
and small seeds. 
The family of Thrushes (TuRBiDiE, Case 53—55) have arcuated and 
compressed bills with the tip more or less dentated ; their wings gene¬ 
rally lengthened and pointed; their legs more or less lengthened, and 
the toes long and slender. They inhabit the world generally. The 
Ant-thrushes ( Formicarince , Case 53) have the bill lengthened, straight, 
with the tip suddenly bent downwards ; their wings are short; thoir tail 
generally short and even; and their tarsi lengthened and slender. 
These birds inhabit the tropical parts of the world, where some seek 
the humid forests, and others the margins of streams, but they ail feed 
principally on ants and other insects. The Thrushes ( Turdince , Case 
54) have the bill lengthened, compressed, with the culmen gradually 
curved to the tip, which is dentate; their wings with the third and fourth 
quills longest. Found in most parts of the world, and are generally 
solitary in their habits, feeding principally on fruits, worms, and snails, 
&c. Some species are remarkable for their song, and others for their 
power of imitating almost any sound. The Babbling Thrushes ( Tima- 
lines, Case 55) have the bil 1 straight and compressed, with the tip 
slightly emarginated; their wings are short and rounded; their tail 
broad and graduated; their legs elevated, and their toes strong, armed 
with slightly curved claws. They inhabit the warmer parts of the world, 
and are found on the mountains in the neighbourhood of rivulets. Most 
species congregate and make a chattering noise. They feed on insects 
and grains. The Orioles ( Oriolinoe , Case 56) have the bill lengthened, 
with the base broad and gradually compressed towards the tip ; their 
nostrils naked and the aperture large; their wings lengthened and 
pointed, and their tarsi rather short. They are found in the warmer 
parts of the world, and are generally seen in small flocks near forests , 
