6. EKiTHACtrs. 293 



Rhondella, Rennie, White's Hist, of Selborne, p. 437 Type. 



(1833) E. rubeciila. 



Philomela, SMi/, Brit. Orn. i. p. 20G (1833) E. luscinia. 



Pandicillii, Bhjth in Remde's Field Nat. i. p. 291 



(1833) E. cserulecula. 



Larvivora, Hodi/s. J. A. S. Be)iq. vi. p. 102 (1837) . . E. bruiinea. 



CaUiope, Gould, B. Eur. pi. 118 (1837) E. calliope. 



Lusciola, Keys. u. Bias. Wirb. Eur. i. pp. 106, 189 



(1840) E. Philomela. 



Lusciola, suh(/enns Melodes, Keys. u. Bias. Wirb. Eur. 



i. p. 190 (1840) E. calliope. 



Melodes, Xewt. List B. Eur. Blasius, p. 10 (1862, ex 



Keys. cV Bias.) E. calliope. 



Irania, De Eilippi, Viagg. Pers. p. 347 (1866) E. gutturalia. 



The genus Eritliacus comprises a group of sixteen species, of 

 which the Ruby-throated E,obiu may be considered a typical form, 

 and which are very nearly allied to the Redstarts. The bill 

 is slender, and generally black on the upper mandible aud paler 

 on the under ; the rictal bristles are small, in most cases nearly 

 obsolete. The legs vary in colour from dark to pale brown. The 

 tarsus is unscutellated, except occasionally in very j'oung birds. So 

 far as is known, the young in first plumage are spotted, but moult 

 into nearly adult plumage the first autumn. It is not known that 

 any of the species have a spring moult. The tail consists of twelve 

 feathers, and is generally more or less rounded. The throat is 

 frequently ornamented with rich colours, in some species having a 

 metallic gloss ; aud the cheeks geneially differ in colour from the 

 throat. In habits these birds closely resemble the Redstarts, 

 though many of them are more aquatic in their habits. 



Many of the species have very limited geographical ranges. 

 Eight breed in the Western Pala?arctic Region, of which two are 

 confined to Europe west of Russia, one ranges from Europe to 

 Persia, three from East Europe to Turkestan, whilst one is found 

 throughout Arctic Europe and Asia. Three species breed in the 

 Himalayas, of which one extends north-west to Turkestan, and one 

 north-east to North-west China. One species is confined to Central 

 India. Two species breed in Siberia, of which one is confined to 

 the cast and the other is found across the country. Two species are 

 confined to Japan and China, and one to the Corea. 



Key to the Species. 



a. Tail russet-brown or chestnut. 

 a'. Chin and throat pale brown. 



«". Second primary longer than the sixth. 

 a'". Firet primary shorter than the piimary- 

 coverts. Upper tail-coverts olive- 

 brown. Second primary about equal 

 to the fourth. Tail 2'8 to 2o inches . . philomela, p. 295. 

 b'". First primary equal to the primary- 

 coverts. Upper tail-coverts brown, with 

 a slight shade of russet. Second pri- 

 mary about equal to the fifth. Tail 3-3 

 to 2-95 inches ffolzii, p. 297. 



