34 



SINGING BIRDS — OSCINES. 



they inhabit. They, however, often eoiue about liouses and gardens, and 

 imrsuo insects to the toiis of the liigliest trees, catching them by short 

 tliglits from twig to twig. Tliey feed chietiy on gnats and other Diptera. 



fi, cnUiiiliila. 



There is a slight diffei-ence between the external anatomy of this species 

 and the preceding, especially in lacking the small feather which covers the 

 nostril. The exact characters are illustrated liv the above outline. 



SuB-F.\Mii.Y POLIOrTILIX.-E. 



Char. Bill slender, elongated, distinctly notched ; nostrils not covered by 

 bristly feathers, but exposed ; nostrils elongated. Wings about equal to the 

 gradtiated tail. Tarsi with distinct scutellEe. 



The little birds of this sub-family have many points of resemblance to the 

 true wrens and tlie titmice, but tlieir nearest relationship is probably to the 

 liiiiiily of Sylviidce, in which Professor Baird has lately placed them. 



Gexis POLIOPTILA, 8f i,.\ter. 



Pnlinpti'h, PcLATEK, Pr. Zool. Soc. ISS.'), 11. (Type, Motarilla rtrnilm.) 



Ctilirirnra, SwAINSON, Class Birds, II. IS.'?", 243. (Type, C. afrio^ipilln.] Not Cidicivom 

 (typo, sirinini) of Swainson's Ziiol. Jour. III. 1827, Xi9. 



Gen. Char. Bill slpndrr, uticnuateil, but depressed at the base; nearly as long as the 

 head, distinctly notched at the ti|i, and provided with moderate rictal bristles. Nostrils 

 rather elongated, not concealed, but anterior to the fmutal feathers. Tarsi longer than 

 the middle toe, distinctly scutellate •. the toes small, the hinder one scarcely longer than 

 the lateral its claw, .scarcely longer than the middle. Outer lateral toe lonjier than the 



