BIRDS OF TfORTH AXD MIDDLE AMERICA. 685 



obsolete, and tliis is a point of some valnc, its ])resence or al)sence api>arently liavinj; 

 nothing to do with jiower of tliglif. 



The eoraeoid of nuimiva seems unusually lon^', hut the length is apparent, and 

 not real, being due to the smaller size of the associati-d parts. 



The sacrum of Chamxa, like that of the Paridfe, is broad and deeply pitted, but 

 here similarity between the pelvic girdles of the two ceases. 



Viewed from above the pelvis of Chama^n is anteriorly narrow and posteriorly con- 

 tracted, as in Wrens, possessing the characteristic angular aspect peculiar to the 

 pelvis of tliat grouj). 



Viewed laterally the dorsal outline of the i)elvis is alike decurved in Chatmra and 

 the Wrens, the dorsal outlint' of the pelvis in the Paridsc — as in the Thrushes — being 

 much straighter. 



The renal fossaj in Chanifea are shaped as in the Wrens, l)eing more sharply trian- 

 gular than in the Paridiv. 



In proportionate length f)f hind limb Chanuva surpasses any of the Wrens and 

 greatly exceeds any Titmouse. 



The tibia and tarsus of Chiim.ra are as long as the corresponding Ijones in Cumpy- 

 lurhipichn.i, and but for the shorter femur of CIitnn;i'(it]w hind lindjs of the two birds 

 would be of the same length, although Campi/IorJii/nchus is almost one-half the 

 longer of the two, and certainly four times as heavy. 



In the arrangement of the phalangeal articular facets Umnuva is wren-like, the 

 second and fourth ])eing in the same plane, while in Parldiv the second is above the 

 fourth. 



Cliaimva is characterized by a considerable development of the pro-ciieniial ridge, 

 this probably bearing some relation to its ground-haunting habits; still the amount 

 of development of the pro and ectocnemial ridges is varialile, both among the 

 Wrens and Tits. 



It appears, then, that in its cranial characters Cliam<ra is much like Psallripams, 

 while tlie shoulder girdle is slightly and the pelvic girdle decidedly wren-like. 



Dr. Shufeldt's conclusion that Cham.ra finds its nearest relative in Pmltrijjarus was 

 therefore more correct than my own, that Chamren belonged with the Wrens, and I 

 can only say that at the time I ventured this opinion Psaltripanis was not available. 



On the other hand, none of the characters shown in the skeleton of Chanura seems 

 sufficient to warrant placing the genus either with the Wrens or Tits, but rather 

 bear out the intermediate position indicated in the name of Wren-Tit. 



The Wren-Tits consist of a single nionotj^pic genus peculiar to the 

 Pacific coast district of the United States. The sing-le species is a 

 small terrestrial bird, living- in the dense scrub or "chapparal" of hill- 

 sides and lower mountain slopes, Imilding its open-topped nest on or 

 near the ground and laying three to five eggs of a uniform greenish 

 blue color. The male is said to have a ver\" sweet trilling song. 



The Chauueidis have long had the distinction of being the only 

 family of Passerine birds peculiar to the continent of North .Vmerica. 

 or Nearctic Region. 



Genus CHAM^^A GaiTihel. 



Chanuva" Ctambel, Proc. \c. Nat. Sci. Pliila., iii, Feb.. 1S47, 154. (.Type, C. j'as- 

 ciata Gambel.) (See also (Tambel, Am. .lourn. Sci., iv, Sept., 1847, 286; 

 Ann. and Mag. N. H., xx, 1847, 441, 442; Joinn. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., i, 

 Dec, 1847, 34.) 



t'hamoea (emendation) Bon.vi'AKTE, Compt. Rend., x.\xi, ISaO, 47!t. 



« " Xajuai, on the ground." 



