132 



DENTIROSTRES. 



SUB-FAMfLY I. 



Malurin.e.* 



The Soft-tailed Warhlers. 



Gex. Chakac. — Bill moderate, more or less slender and straight, with the tip 

 of the upper mandible curved, and sometimes emarginated, the sides com- 

 pressed ; the nostrils basal, and placed in a membranous groove, with the 

 opening exposed ; wings short and rounded ; tail more or less lengthened 

 and rounded; tarsi generally long and slender; toes more or less long, and 

 always slender, with the outer toe united to the middle one at the base, the 

 hind toe long, and armed with a strong claw. 



Fig. 52. — the yellow megalvrus. 

 {Me(jiil/(ri(s cifrhiHS.) 



These elegant birds generally frequent open spaces 

 scattered over witli low brusliwood or bushes^ espe- 

 cially in tlie vicinity of rivers ; but in the winter 

 season they fearlessly approach the abode of man. 

 They are usually seen on the ground in pairs or small 



* IxaWog, mallos, wool; ovpa, oura. the tail; Soft-tailed. 



