Aiithus Richardi taken in England. 411 



alteration could take place in its colour as to identify it with the 

 present species. There is a character also, which belongs to some 

 of the Australasian Muscicapidce^ that of the shafts of the tail 

 feathers being prolonged, so as either to stand naked beyond the 

 webs, or to form an angle with them, making the apex of the fea- 

 ther pointed, instead of round as in general ; and which though 

 discernible in both the species before us, is much more consider- 

 ably developed in M. Lathami than in M. erythrogastra. The 

 length moreover of all the specimens of the latter species, which 

 have come under my inspection, exceeds that of the former, by 

 nearly half an inch. I have named the species in honour of the 

 venerable authour of the " General Synopsis of Birds," the Father 

 of Ornithology in this country. 



The extensive group of birds that forms the genus Muscicapa 

 of Linnaius exhibits several varieties of structure that have long 

 since required to be separated and characterized. I am happy to 

 have it in my power to add that the subject has been taken up, in 

 conjunction with that of several neighbouring groups, by my 

 friend Mr. Swainson, by whom the scientifick world may expect 

 to have it handled with ample justice. I consequently refrain 

 from making any observations on the natural affinities of the bird 

 before us and its congeners of New Holland, but shall refer it 

 provisionally for the present to the overgrown genus Muscicapa. 

 Fam. Sylviad^. Mihi. 

 Genus. Anthus. Bechst. 

 RiciiAKnT. Vieill. J. vlivaceo-fuscus, ulbido nigroque variusj 

 subtus albidus, pedore rufescente maculis nigris^ rectricibus 

 dtiobus externis albo-marginatis ; pedibus hallucisque ungue 

 longissimis. 



Tab. 14. 

 Habitat in Anglii. 

 In Mus. nost. 



Long. Corp. 6 -^. 



Anthus Richardi. Vieillot. Diet. d'Hist. Nat. Art. Vipi. 



Temm. PI. Col. 101. 



Although the above species lias been recently described by M. 

 Vieillot, and admirably figured in the " Planches Coloriees," I am 



