136 Family Cin'cliu.k. 



FAMILY CINCLID^. 



WE now come to the second famil}- of the Passeres, represented in Great 

 Britain by one resident species only, belonging to the typical genns 

 Cinclus. 



All Ornithologists do not, however, agree with Mr. Howard Saunders as to 

 the validity of the family Cinciida ; for Mr. Seebohm placed the Dippers among 

 the Thrush-like birds Tiirdina, stating that the}- " maj- be distinguished from the 

 true Thrushes by their short concave wings fitting tightly to the bod}-, and their 

 dense plumage adapted to their aquatic habits." 



On the other hand. Dr. Sharpe refers Cinclus to the end of the Subfamily 

 Troglodytince or Wren-like birds, a group which they certainly resemble in their 

 domed mossy nests and white eggs, and to which also the}^ have a slight likeness. 



Perhaps, until the Doctors of this science have definitel}- established the 

 natural position of the Dippers beyond all dispute, by careful dissection of their 

 clothing, body, bones, and (having completed the dr^^ bones) of the life-histor}', 

 including song, call-note, alarm-note, and note of indignation ; until, I say, all 

 this has been done, perhaps it will be most convenient to regard the Dippers as 

 constituting a distinct famil}'. 



As in the Wrens, the wings and tail are short, the first quill being very 

 short, the outer toe of the tarsus is also connected at the base with the middle 

 toe; but the bill is somewhat different, the tip of the upper mandible being 

 slightly curved over, whereas that of a Wren is pointed ; altogether the Troglo- 

 dytinc characters are very strong, and Dr. Sharpe gives us yet another, as follows: — 

 " The principal characteristic, however, of a Wren, and one that separates it from 

 the true Timeliine birds, is the almost entire aksence of rictal bristles," — " for 

 Ornithologists who doubt that Cinclus is a Wren, an examination of the bill alone 

 will be sufficient to show that its place is with the Troglodytinct.'" 



