514 MYIOTHERIN^. 



gizzard, with the muscles of moderate size, but not compressed 

 on the edges of the organ ; the intestine, efg h, short, rather 

 wide, with two minute coeca near the extremity, which has 

 a large pyriform dilatation. 



The eyes are of moderate size, the eyelids feathered. The 

 external aperture of the ear very large, elliptical. The nostrils 

 very small, elliptical or roundish, in the anterior part of the 

 broad nasal membrane. The hind limbs are very small ; the 

 tarsus very short and slender, moderately compressed or roundish, 

 with seven anterior scutella ; the toes small, much compressed, 

 the first not much stouter than the third, and of moderate length, 

 the second and fourth equal, the third much longer, and united 

 to the fourth at the base ; the claws long, slender, arched, com- 

 pressed, laterally grooved, acute. Fig. 254. 



The plumage is generally soft and blended. On each side 

 of the base of the upper mandible are about six strong bristle- 

 feathers, and several smaller on the nasal membrane. Wings 

 of moderate length, broad, semiovate, of eighteen quills, the 

 secondaries long, the primaries presenting various modifications. 



Tail generally rather long, of twelve feathers, and in some 

 degree emarginate, sometimes flattened and triangular, with 

 the lateral feathers very long. 



The peculiar form of the bill, with the strong bristle-feathers 

 at its base, and the small size of the feet, afford the most pro- 

 minent characters of this family, the species of which reside 

 in woods and thickets, among the twigs and foliage of which 

 they search for their insect food, seldom alighting on the ground, 

 for walking or leaping on which they are in a great measure 

 incapacitated by the structure of their feet. Very frequently 

 they take a station on a twig, from whence they sally forth after 

 passing insects. The larger species also attack and prey upon 

 smaller birds, and are of a very bold and quarrelsome disposition, 

 defending themselves and their young from birds of prey with 

 great courage. The smaller species are of a more quiet temper, 

 confine their destructive powers to insects, and in general re- 

 semble the Sylvias in their manners. 



This family presents various affinities, passing on one hand 

 into that of the Shrikes, on the other into that of the Sylvianse. 



