94' REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [PART I. 



Contrary to the opinions of most Ornithologists, I have placed 

 the genus Donacobius among the Thrushes, rather than the Wrens: 

 the reasons for this are given on page 58. 



With these preliminary general remarks, I proceed to present a 

 brief synopsis of the genera and subgenera of American Troglody- 

 tidae, which, however artificial, may -serve to aid in their determina- 

 tion. The fuller characters will be found detailed under each genus : — 



A. Nostrils broadly oval, not overhung ; anterior half rest- 



ing in the end of the nasal groove ; no lateral septum 

 visible. Bill not notched. Tarsi as short as niidde toe 

 and claw. Legs stout ....... Heleodytes. 



B. Nostrils quite broadly oval, without distinct Literal sep- 



tum, this being concealed by the narrow scale which 

 margins the nostril above. Bill not notched. Legs 

 stout ; claws strong, much curved ; tarsus longer than 

 middle toe and claw. Tail about equal to wings . . Caynpylorhynthus, 



C. Bill slender, not notched. Nostrils elongated, in lower 



side of nasal groove, overhung by an arched portion of 

 nasal membrane, thickened, with rounded edges. Inner 

 lateral toe considerably shorter than outer. 



((. Inner lateral toe equal to hind toe. Lateral plates 

 along posterior half of tarsi divided into smaller 

 ones ......... Salpinctes. 



b. Inner lateral toe considerably shorter than hind 

 toe. Plates of posterior half of tarsus continuous, 

 or not divided into smaller ones . . . Catherpes. 



D. Nostrils broadly oval, divided by a low wall perpendicu- 



lar to the median nasal septum, but not coming to 

 the Surface ; bordered above by scarcely thickened 

 membrane, placed in end of nasal groove. Legs very 

 stout. Bill short, broad at base, without notch. Cul- 

 men much curved. Tail much graduated, about equal 

 to the wings ........ Cinniccrthia. 



E. Bill distinctly notched at end (not notched in any other 



Troijlodijlidae). 



a. Bill distinctly notched, very high, and much com- 



pressed. Nostrils small, truly circular, opening 

 in the middle of the nasal membrane. Tail much 

 shorter than (about two- thirds) the wings . . Cyphoriuus. 



b. Bill distinctly notched, quite high and compressed. 



Nostrils apparently double, the single aperture 

 being divided by a bridge. Tail scarcely more 

 , than half the wings Microcercnlus. 



c. Bill faintly notched, scarcely higher than broad at 



the base. Nostrils broadly oval, with membrane 

 above, but no thickened scale ; divided by a 

 septum coming to the surface, which, however. 



