TROGLODYTID^. 



91 



extension up the back. The throat alone is white ; the remaining 

 under parts, the flanks especially, having an ashy brown tinge, not 

 noticed in the other species. 



Family TROGLODYTID^E. 



Rictal bristles wanting ; the loral feathers with bristly points ; the frontal 

 feathers generally not reaching to nostrils. Nostrils varied, exposed or not 

 covered by feathers, and generally overhung by a scale-like membrane. Bill 

 usually without notch. Wings much rounded, about equal to tail, which is 

 graduated. Primaries ten, the first generally about half the second. Basal 

 joint of middle toe usually united to half the basal joint of inner, and the 

 whole of that of the outer, or more. Lateral toes about equal, or the outer a 

 little the longer. Tarsi scutellate. 



The impossibility of defining any large group of animals, so as to 

 separate it stringently and abruptly from all others, is well under- 

 stood among naturalists ; and the Troglodytidse form no exception 

 to the rule. Some bear so close a resemblance to the Mocking 

 Thrushes as to have been combined with them ; while others again 

 exhibit a close approximation to other subfamilies.* 



' The genus Rhodinoctchia has, by most of our systematic writers, been 

 placed among the Dendmcolaptidx, and thus as not belonging to the Oscines 

 at all. Taking all this for granted, I deferred any investigation of the species 

 until I had finished the Oscines. A casual examination has, however, recently 

 convinced me that the genus is truly Oscine, and possibly one of the TrogJo- 

 ditidn. Dr. Sclater coincides in this view, and. is inclined to place it very 

 near Heleodytes. As it is now too late to iutroduce it in its proper place, I 

 defer further consideration of the subject to the Appendix, and merely give 

 the principal synonyms : — 



Rhodinocichla rosea. 



Furiian'iis rosens, Le.=sox, 111. Zool. pi. v. — Rhndinociclda rosea, IIartl. 

 Cab. Juur. 1853, 33.— Scl. Pr. 1855, 141 ; 184G, 140.— In. Catal. 



