. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Birds; Natural history; Oiseaux; Sciences naturelles. >r^. â o- ^^- ..^.^ r-U' SIIORT-TAILKD ANT TUI!U!~1I.â/'i«(i ricinalcims. These birds may bo separated into two divisions, the Breves and the Ant-thrushes; the former being found in India, tlie Indian Islands, and Australia, while the latter inhabit America as woll as the Old World. In whatever part of the world they may be situated, they are most useful birds, as without +lieir assistance tlie ants which swarm in those lands would increase to a most l)ancful extent. In allusion to this sub
. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Birds; Natural history; Oiseaux; Sciences naturelles. >r^. â o- ^^- ..^.^ r-U' SIIORT-TAILKD ANT TUI!U!~1I.â/'i«(i ricinalcims. These birds may bo separated into two divisions, the Breves and the Ant-thrushes; the former being found in India, tlie Indian Islands, and Australia, while the latter inhabit America as woll as the Old World. In whatever part of the world they may be situated, they are most useful birds, as without +lieir assistance tlie ants which swarm in those lands would increase to a most l)ancful extent. In allusion to this subject 'Sh: Swainson makes the following pertinent remarks : " Of .dl the tribes of insects which swarm in the tropics, the ants are the most numerous ; they are tlie universal desolators, and in the dry and overgrown parts of the interior, ihe traveller can scarcely proceed five paces without treading upon their nosts. To keep these myriads within due limits, a wise Providence has ordered into existence tlie Ant-thrushes, and given to them this particular food. Both are proportionate in their geographical range, as far beyond the tropical latitudes the ants suddenly decrease, and their enemies, the ]\lyiotlieriiv (/. e. the ant-eating creatures) totally ; It inusr, however, l)e remembered, that the ants themselves are of tlic very greatest service in removing and devouring all dead animal substances, and that the gTcat object of the Ant-Thrush is not to extirpate, but to keep within due l)ounds tliJ insects which might otherwise become absolutely liarml'ul to the bird which is so gieatly benefited by their presence in moderate numliei's. The great Ant-Thuush, which is also called the Giant Bitta, or the Giant Breve, in allusion to its large dimensions, is a native of Surinam, and on account of its bright plumage, its quaint mid jieoiliar shape, its very large head, very long legs, and peculiarly short wren-like nil, which looks exactly as if it had been n
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Keywords: ., boo, bookcentury1800, booksubjectbirds, booksubjectnaturalhistory
