BRANT— BROADBILL 



57 



Even in wintei", hoAvever, its diversified plumage is sufficiently 

 striking. 



BRANT or BRENT, words of doubtful etymology: the 

 former spelling is most usually adopted by American, the latter 

 by English authors, and in Britain the word GoosE is generally 

 added. 



BREASTBONE, see Sternum. 



BRISTLE-BIRD, the name given by the colonists to three 

 species of the genus Sphcnnra of Lichtenstein (as now restricted) 

 which inhabit Australia, from the two or three pairs of strong 

 recurved bristles which project laterally from the gape. They 

 were formerly considered to belong to the Sylviidx ; but latterly, 

 like many others, have been referred (chiefly on account of their 

 short wings) to the Timeliklx by Mr. Sharpe [Cat. B. Br. Mus. 

 vii. p. 104). Their true position seems yet to be determined. 

 They mostly conceal themselves in thickets, especially in marshy 

 places, flying very little, but running very quickly, and carrying 

 the tail erect. The nest is built of dry grass, globular in form, 

 and is of large size. S. hrachyptcra, the type of the genus, inhabits 

 New South Wales, and the two others, S. longirostris and S. 

 broadbenti, are found in Western Australia and the interior of 

 South Australia respectively. Allied to Sphenura is Amytis, with 

 3 or 4 species, also Australian, somewhat Wren-like in form, and 

 having the gape beset with five pairs of bristles, which, however, 

 are directed more forwardly, and are weaker. 



BROADBILL, Swainson's name, appropriate as will be seen by 

 the figure, in 1837 (Classif. B. ii. p. 80), for a remarkable group of 

 birds comprehending 

 the genus Burylmnus 

 of Horsfield ( Trans. 

 Linn. Soc. xiii. p. 170) 

 and some allied forms, 

 all inhabiting the 

 Indian Region, and 

 especially developed 

 in Malacca, Java, Su- 

 matra, and Borneo ; 

 but found also in the 

 elevated part of India, 

 and extending to the 

 Philippines. The position of this group, which was in 1842 

 recognized by Baron de Selys-Longchamps as forming a good 

 Family, Eurylsemidse, had long been doubtful, some authoi's regard- 

 ing it as allied to the Muscicapidm (Fly-catcher), others to the 

 Coraciidx (Roller), and so forth. By degrees what seems to 



EURYL^MUS. CaLYPTOMENA. 



(After Swainson.) 



