PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 475 



Mcrula. Bristles along gape strong and numerous. Tarsus very stout 

 and somewhat lengthened, never longer, however, than two and a half 

 times the exposed culmen. Tail considerably rounded, the tail-feathers 

 more than two and a half times the length of the tarsus, but shorter 

 than three and a half times the same length, and decidedly shorter than 

 the wing. 



Remarks. — As to which species should be included within this genus, 

 authors have had different opinions. So has especially Professor Baird 

 included within it the Tardus mirantius Gmel., although it seems that he 

 is aware of the incongruity of this species and those which were con- 

 sidered typical by the founder of the genus, Mr. Sclater (see Rev. Amer. 

 Birds. I, p. 4), and 1 think these birds are too heterogeneous to become 

 members of the same genus. T. aurantius will be ver^- difficult to sepa- 

 rate from the genus Merida. The bird looks rather peculiar, and will 

 probably require a separate genus for itself, although I have not suc- 

 ceeded in finding characters sufficient to separate it from the latter 

 group, with which, for the present, I have been obliged to keep it. 



Of the species which I have been able to examine, only the following 

 belong to the genus Semimerula, restricted and defined as above : Semi- 

 merula gigf(s, Semimerula xanthosceles, and Semimerula atrosericea. 



This genus does not occur anywhere else than in South America. 



Cichlherminia herminieri. 



