Fig. 257.—The Mino Bird (Gracula religiosa, Linn.).
These Passerines readily habituate themselves to confinement, and in a short time become as tame as Starlings. Like these birds, too, they possess the talent of remembering and repeating words and various cries. They inhabit Africa, Asia, and Java. In their migrations they sometimes visit the southern countries of Europe; but they are rarely seen in France.
The Honey-suckers (Meliphagidæ) are remarkable for having a thin tuft of hair at the end of their tongue, and for the fleshy pendants which adorn the beaks of some species. Their plumage is in general brilliant, and ornamented with tufts or collars. The voice of some kinds is very melodious, but little or nothing is known of their habits.
We now come to the Rose-coloured Ouzel, which is called in France Merle Rose, because it combines the shape of the Blackbird with a breast and back of a lovely rose colour.
The characteristics of the Ouzels are a straight and slender bill; large and stout toes, furnished with strong and hooked claws; and short wings and tail. The decidedly aquatic habits of these birds form a curious exception to the rest of the Passerine order. They live constantly on the edge of the water, or in the water itself, hunting for the insects which constitute their food. Although their toes are not webbed, they may often be noticed diving and moving about under water, by extending their wings and using them as fins. They are frequently to be seen flying along streams, and catching the winged insects skimming over the surface of the water. They live a solitary life, except during the pairing season. Ouzels principally frequent the banks of mountain streams, especially in rocky and precipitous countries.
Fig. 258.—The Dipper, or Water Ouzel (Cinclus aquaticus, Bechst.).
The European species, called the Dipper, or Water Ouzel (Hydrobata cinclus, Wood), [Fig. 258], is met with in Great Britain, France, the Alps, Pyrenees, and other mountain chains in the South, West, and North of Europe.
Fig. 259.—The Wood Thrush (Turdus melodus, Wilson).