460 PKOCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 

 Group SIALIC. 



Synojjsis of the genera. 



a ' Gonys very short, being shorter than two-fifths of the commissure, so that the chiu- 

 angle is considerably produced before the line of the nostrils. 

 Tail double rounded 1. Ridgtcayia. 



a~ Gonys moderate, being longer than two-lifths of the commissure, so that the chin- 

 angle does not reach before the line of the nostrils. Tail slightly 

 forked 2. Sialia. 



Pddgivayia pinicola. 



EiDGWAYiA* Stejneger. 



Type Ridgwayia pinicola (Sclat). 



Body of moderate size, with light spots on the fore parts. Wiugs pro- 

 portiouately long, and pointed, with long primaries and shorter second- 

 aries; the first primary is phvced in front of, but almost on the outside 

 of the second, the inner web of it lying concealed between this and the 

 primary coverts. Bill much arched, lower jaw decidedly concave; com- 

 missure with a distinct notch, and much curved, so that the whole man- 

 dible, with exception of the base, falls inside of the straight line between 

 its tip and the angle of the mouth; lower jaw very weak; gonys very 

 short, being shorter than two-fifths of the commissure, so that the chin- 

 angle is considerably produced before tlie line of the nostrils. Bristles 

 along gape proportionately few. Tarsi stout and exceedingly short, 

 being shorter than the commissure, and shorter than the middle toe 

 Avith claw, only making one-fifth of the length of the wings. Middle toe 



*I have great i^leasure in naming this remarkable genus in honor of Mr. Robert 

 Ridgway, to whom the science is so highly indebted for his many eminent productions 

 within all branches of American ornithology. 



