Family of Laniadce. 305 



the tarsi equally short ; but the tail is even, or slightly rounded ; 

 while the setaceous hairs, which we have before alluded to as 

 being concealed among the nuchal feathers in Dicrurus, are very 

 conspicuously developed in Tricophorus, and are more than double 

 the length of the surrounding feathers. A singular uniformity of 

 plumage runs through all the species, of which I possess four or 

 five, all received from the western coast of Africa. This appa- 

 rently limited habitat is likewise noticed by M. Temminck, who 

 particularly says, toutes sont des cotes occidentales d'Afrique. 



In some species the bill is smaller, the nuchal bristles less con- 

 spicuous, and those of the rictus much shorter. We are thus pre- 

 pared for the transition, which here takes place, into the genus 

 Brachypus,* a name by which I propose to distinguish the short- 

 legged Thrushes of Linnaeus and of modern writers. These birds 

 are exclusively confined to Africa aud India, and are so strikingly 

 distinguished from the true Thrushes, that it is somewhat singular 

 their peculiarities should not have been noticed long ago. Their 

 tarsi are remarkably short, like the two last genera ; but their 

 bills are weaker, and the nuchal bristles scarcely perceptible. In 

 short, it is in this genus that all the habits of the Edolianw gra- 

 dually disappear ; and bring us to a small group of genuine 

 Thrushes, found in Africa, having lengthened tarsi, a graduated 

 tail, and other characters assimilating to the Meruladw, all of 

 which are seen in the Tardus vociferans. — Zool. III. 3. pi. 180. 



It thus appears, that not only the Thamnoj)hilinw, but likewise 

 the Edolianw, will lead us by different paths to the great tribe of 

 Meruladw ; the first by means of the Myotherw of authors, and 

 the latter by the genus Brachypus. 



Leaving these collateral affinities, let us now consider what 

 other birds may be associated with the genuine types of the 

 Edolianae. Here we are met by the genus Irena, a name given by 

 Dr. Horsfield to a very beautiful and rare bird, discovered by 

 that naturalist in the island of Java. As this form is only known 

 to me by the figure and description that has appeared of it in the 

 " Zoological Researches," of its discoverer, I must refer the 



* Le Curouge, Vail, pi. 107. /. 1.; Le Cudor, lb. f. 2.; Le Brunoir, 

 Jb. pi. 106. /. 1. &c. &c. 



Vol. I. x 



