la'TiriLLiN.T:, 



1:55 



all events to represent tlieni respectively in N. America and 

 Australia. 



We next pass to birds more sylvan iu their habit, viz., the 

 Ivedstaris and Rubins, most of which perch more freely on trees 

 tlian the Stone-chats. Still many arc partial to rocks and buildings, 

 and nidificate in their crevices. Certain among them of still more 

 retired habits, Larvh-orbtcp, Blyth (in lit.), are peculiar, or nearly 

 so, to the Himalayas and part of Central Asia ; and these have 

 sometimes been classed ajjart, but they are placed together by 

 Gray and Bonaparte, and cannot, 1 think, be well separated. The 

 Avell known Kobin and lledstart of Europe are the types of this 



sub-family. 



Sub-fam. RUTTCILLIN^. 



They are distinguished from the true Stone-chats by a 

 more slender beak, somewhat longer tarsi and feet ; and their 

 coloration is pecidiar. jNIost have more or less rufous on the tail, 

 (hence the name of P/i(C7iicura,) also on the lower parts, and 

 the prevalent hue of the upper plumage is ashy grey, dull 

 black-blue in a few. Their tail is somewhat longer than in most 

 of the Chats, and many have the habit of shaking and llirtiu'T it 

 continually, hence the names given it in several languages, both 

 Kative and European. The sexes ordinaril}' differ in plumage, 

 though the female sometimes is said to assume the phmiaiie of 

 the male. They have a pleasing song, usually delivered from 

 the top of a building or rock, or tree. They nestle in holes in 

 trees, or buildings, or on the ground, and the eggs of most known 

 are blue; of one, at least, pure white. They are found chiefly in 

 the temperate parts of the Old World ; and the Himalayan district, 

 and adjoining part of Tibet, is peculiarly rich in species. 



Gen. EuTiciLLA, Brehm. 



Syn. Phcsnicura, Swains. 



Char. — Bill rather short, straight, slender, slightly notched; 

 rictus nearly smooth ; wings moderately long, pointed ; 1st primary 

 about one-third the length of the 4th ; 5th and 6th equal and 

 longest; tail moderate, even, or slightly rounded; tarsus Ion o-, 

 slender, nearly smooth ; feet moderate ; lateral toes nearly ecjual, 

 hind toe not much lengthened ; claw^s slender, moderately curved. 



