Australian Birds in the Collection of the Linnean Society. 225 
and graduated tail, which gives a striking character to the typi- 
cal species of Malurus, is wanting in the present group, in which 
the tail is short and rounded ; in some species, indeed, inclining 
to become even. Both groups have a bill which partakes of the 
character of that of the Muscicapide, and which has caused some 
species among them to be referred to that family. But the bill 
of our group is rather more depressed at the base, is shorter and 
less arcuated than that of Malurus. In all these points, how- 
_ ever, the two groups approach each other so nearly in some of 
the extreme species, that it is difficult to draw the line of distinc- 
tion between them. As in all similar cases of groups thus ap- 
proximating to each other, we fix our attention on the typical 
species chiefly of each, which in the present instance may be 
considered to be Malurus Lamberti and Acanthiza pusille. 
In reference to the European groups of this family, these two 
forms of the New Holland Warblers appear to approach them 
more nearly than any other extra- European species. The wings 
are formed upon the same model, the first quill-feather being 
short, although not so much so as in the typical species of 
Europe. The integrity of the tarsi, however, the uneven tail, 
and the rictus of the bill partially beset with bristles, and ap- 
proximating to that of the Flycatchers, sufficiently point out a 
distinction. Of all the European Sy/lviade, they resemble most 
nearly the group of Regulus, Cuv.: they want, however, the 
singular plume which covers the nostrils of that genus. The 
species which we have met with possess a general similarity in 
the disposition of their colours; and they appear to be distin- 
guished by the character of having the webs of their feathers, 
particularly about the head and neck, more than usually loose 
and decomposed. Like the Reguli they appear to be the in- 
habitants of bushes and low scrubs. 
YOL. XV. UG NANA. 
