90 
ROOM XIII. the Titmice differ from the crows, chiefly in their di- 
Nat. Hist, minutive size. The family of Paradise Birds (Cases 
18 and 19) have the front of the head covered with 
velvety feathers, and generally a tuft of more or less 
elongated feathers on each side of the chest, which 
gives them the appearance of having four wings. It 
was formerly erroneously supposed that these birds had 
no feet—though in fact they are rather large and 
strong; their habits are perfectly those of the crows, 
and though omnivorous, their favourite food is cock¬ 
roaches and crickets. They are natives of New Guinea 
and the neighbouring islands, where the natives collect 
them to make plumes, and generally cut off their wings 
and feet to prevent those rigid parts from injuring the 
feathers ; which gave rise to the error alluded to above. 
The family of Starlings (same case) differs from the 
former in the bill being conical, slender, and naked, or 
only slightly bristled at the base, as the Starlings, 
Troupiales, Shining Thrushes, Pastors, and Orioles, 
many of which build very artificial nests, and some, 
especially the Beef Eater, follow cattle and pick the 
insects from their skin ; many are very peculiar for the 
metallic brilliancy of their colours. 
Cases 20—27 contain the Insectivorous Birds *. 
The family of Butcher Birds (Cases 20 and 21) 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 22 and 23) have 
very weak depressed bills, with long bristles at the 
gape ; they live chiefly on flies, which they catch on the 
wing, as the Ely Catcher, Fly Eater, &c. 
The family of Chatterers (same Case) are peculiar 
for the two outer toes of their feet being united toge- 
* See p. 83. 
ther 
