Familj/ of Lan'mdce, 307 



resemble those of the Hirundintdw), leaves me in considerable 

 doubt as to the exact situation of this singular group. 



I must again refer to the Zoological Illustrations for another 

 bird which is nearly allied to Dicrurus, and whose natural station 

 IS of considerable importance to our present views ; this is the 

 Musa'peta labrosa (Vol. 3. pi. 179), a rare bird from the interior 

 of Southern Africa. Unfortunately, I cannot now re-examine the 

 specimen from which my former figure and description was taken, 

 as it was transmitted, soon after, to one of the continental 

 museums. Yet the particulars I then detailed will materially 

 guide us on this occasion. It appeiirs to have a thick and strong 

 Jbiil, the four outer quill-feathers graduated, the tarsi very short, 

 the knees feathered, and the plumage black with a metallic 

 lustre. We here recognize the general characters of Dicrurus; 

 while the rounded shape of the tail, the form of the nares, and the 

 absence of strong bristles at the bill, show a decided approxima- 

 tion towards another family of insectivorous birds. In short, 

 so closely does the Muscipeta labrosa approach to the Echenil- 

 Jeurs of M. Le Vaillant (G. Ceblepyris^ Cuv.) that at this dis- 

 tance of time, I almost question whether I might not have over- 

 looked the spinelike feathers on the back, by which those birds 

 are so well distinguished. Yet, even admitting this to be the 

 case, still its connection with Dicrurus is sufficiently obvious, to 

 be adduced as a proof of the accurate views of M. Le Vaillant ; 

 who places the Echenilleurs close to the Drongos, and in which 

 arrangement he is followed by M. Temminck. I shall therefore 

 not greatly err in adopting the same belief, and in supposing that 

 the Muscipeta labrosa may probably represent a form by which 

 these two groups are connected. 



Having now enumerated all the types of form I have yet seen 

 which may be referred to the Edolianee, I hope to continue the 

 subject in the next number of this Journal, and to show that the 

 Echenilleurs, most probably, will represent the fourth division ia 

 ,the great family of Laniadce, 



[^To be continued.] 



X 1 



