EXCURSORES, SNATCHERS. 485 



species occurs in Britain, and that merely as an irregular visi- 

 tant. 



The Psarlnw, including the genera Psaris, Eurystomus, Co- 

 racias, Irena, and several others, have the bill generally large, 

 with its sides convex, its height and breadth nearly equal at 

 the base, the tip of the upper mandible very small and deflected, 

 with a sinus on each side, but seldom with a tooth-like pro- 

 cess ; the tip of the lower mandible narrow and obliquely trun- 

 cate ; the nostrils large ; the tarsi very short, with very large 

 scutella, the toes rather large, the claws moderate and well 

 curved ; the wings large and broad. Only one species, Cora- 

 cias garrula, occurs in Britain. 



These latter birds have been placed by some in connexion 

 with the Crows, and by others with the Kingsfishers and Bee- 

 eaters ; but I think their general structure, their very short 

 broadly scutellate tarsi, broad wings, and more or less bulging 

 bill, of which the tip is always deflected, indicate that their 

 position is near the Shrikes and Flycatchers. 



