ANTCATCHERS AND ALLIED SPECIES. 47 



The pelvis is of moderate size ; the iliac boues oblong, the 

 pubic linear and slightly recurved. The femur is short ; the 

 tibia nearly two-thirds longer, the fibula extending a third 

 down ; the tarsal bone trigonal and rather siout ; the digital 

 bones, and those of the hand, as described in the character of 

 the order. 



The digestive organs of the Dipper will be mentioned in the 

 description of that species. 



The Myrmotherinse are for the most part natives of the 

 warmer regions of the globe ; but the genus to which belongs 

 the only species that occurs in Britain, is composed of species 

 which inhabit cold and temperate countries, and particularly the 

 valleys of mountainous districts. Were it not for its greater 

 affinity to these foreign genera, it might be referred to the family 

 of Turdinae. Indeed, the Myrmotherinae generally may be con- 

 sidered as Thrushes with shortened tail and wings. 



SYNOPSIS OF THE BRITISH GENERA AND SPECIES. 



GENUS L CINCLUS. DIPPER. 



Bill rather short, slender, compressed, slightly bent upwards ; 

 the tip of the upper mandible a little deflected, the notch slight ; 

 feet strong ; tarsus rather short, compressed, anteriorly with a 

 single long plate, and four inferior scutella ; toes rather stout, 

 claws moderate, strong, arched, compressed, blunted ; wings 

 and tail short and concave. 



1 . Cinclus Europceus. European Dipper. Head and hind- 

 neck dark brown ; upper parts dark grey, the feathers bordered 

 with black ; fore-neck and part of breast white, the rest of the 

 breast brownish-red. 



