INTRODUCTION. XI 



Saxicola, Bfchstdii. — Bill straight, broad at the base; the iqipcr mandible re- 

 ceding towards the forehead, compressed towards the tip, which is decurved 

 and more or less indented. Nostrils basal, supernal and oval. Gape with 

 a few hairs. Wings with the first quill very short, the third or fourth the 

 longest ; coverts and scapulars short. Tarsus long, covered in front by one 

 long scale, to which succeed two or three shorter scutellce ; the outer toe 

 partly united to the middle toe ; hind claw short, strong and cuived (p. 19). 



PraTINCOLA, K. L. Koch. — Bill shorter and broader than in Saxicola ; bristles 

 at the gape strongly developed. Wings and tail rather short (p. 27). 



Ruticilla, C. L. Brehin. — Bill slender, compressed towards the point, a little 

 deflected and veiy slightly emarginated ; gape with tolerably large bristles. 

 Nostrils basal, supernal and nearly round. Wings moderate ; the first quill 

 short ; the second equal to the sixth ; the third, fourth and fifth, nearly equal, 

 and one of them the longest. Legs slender, the tarsus longer than the middle 

 toe, and covered in front by a single scale and three inferior scutellse (p. 31). 



Cyanecula, C. L. Brehm. — Diffei-s from the above in having few and small 

 bristles at the gape, four inferior scutellte on the tarsus, and a short middle 

 toe. Practically this genus is based on the blue colour of the throat, and 

 upon the desirability of separating the members of this little group from the 

 Redstarts (p. 35). 



Erithacus, G. Cuv/e7:—Bill narrow and depressed at the base, inflected towards 

 the point, the upper mandible slightly notched. Nostrils basal, lateral and 

 oval. Wings rounded ; the first quill only half as long as the second, which 

 is shorter than the third ; the fourth, fifth and sixth nearly equal and 

 longest. Legs long and slender ; the tarsi with a single scale in front and 

 three inferior scutellte; the outer toe a little longer than the inner, and united 

 at its base to the middle toe ; the hind toe longer and stronger than the others. 

 Plumage generally soft (p. 37). 



Daulias, F. Boie. — Bill moderate, straight ; the tip slightly deflected and emar- 

 ginated. Nostrils basal, supernal and round. Wings moderate ; the first 

 quill very short, the second longer than the fifth, the third the longest in the 

 wing. Tail rounded. Tarsus long and slender, covered in front by a single 

 scale and four inferior scutella; ; toes long ; claws rather short (p. 39). 



Subfamily Sylviin.e. 



(Young on leaving the nest differ very slightly in colour from the adults.) 



Sylvia, Scopoli. — Bill rather stout, short, not very broad at base ; upper man- 

 dible decurved from the middle towards the point, which is slightly emar- 

 ginated ; nostrils basal, lateral, oval and exposed ; gape furnished with 

 bristles. Wings moderate ; the first quill very short. Tail of twelve feathers, 

 generally rounded. Legs with the tarsus scaled in front and longer than 

 the middle toe ; toes and claws short (p. 41). 



Regulus, G. Cuvier. — Bill slender, straight, the edges dilated at the base, com- 

 pressed towards the point, which is notched. Nostrils basal, supernal and 

 oval, covered by a single bristly feather directed forwards ; the internasal 

 ridge stout ; the gape beset with hairs. Wings rather long ; the first quill 

 nearly half the length of the second, the fourth the longest. Tail of twelve 

 pointed feathers, slightly forked. Tarsus slender and rather long, covered 



