382 



MELIZOPHILUS. FURZELING. 



This genus, which was first proposed by Dr Leach, is scarcely 

 distinguishable from Phyllopneuste on the one hand and Sylvia 

 on the other. The only species of which it is composed is a 

 small bird having in form and manners a considerable resem- 

 blance to the Whitethroat, but with the tail remarkably elon- 

 gated. 



Bill short, slender, broader than high at the base, compressed 

 toward the end ; upper mandible with its dorsal outline slight- 

 ly declinate and convex, the ridge narrow, the edges thin and 

 overlapping, the notches very small, the tip acute ; lower man- 

 dible with the angle of moderate length and narrow, the sides 

 convex, the edges a little inflected, the tip acute ; the gape- 

 line slightly arched. Tarsi slender, rather long, with the 

 scutella distinct ; claws of moderate length, much compressed, 

 arched, very acute. 



Nostrils elliptical, pervious, in the fore part of the nasal 

 membrane, which is feathered behind. Eyes of moderate size ; 

 eyelids feathered, their bare edges crenate. External aperture 

 of the ear large and roundish. 



Plumase blended, the feathers ovate and rounded, with loose 

 filaments ; those at the base of the bill bristle-pointed. AVings 

 rather short ; the first primary very small, being about a fourth 

 of the length of the second, which is shorter than the third 

 and sixth, the fourth and fifth longest. Tail long, straight, 

 graduated, the feathers rather narrow and weak. 



The only species of this genus is confined to the southern 

 parts of England, where it appears to be permanently resident. 



