300. Observations on the 



reader to that work, where its characters are detailed with Dr. 

 Horsfield's usual precision. It is enough in this place to state, 

 that Irena differs more immediately from the Drongos, by having 

 an even tail ; while its relationship to those birds is shown in its 

 strong and arched bill, bristly rictus, and very short feet. 

 M. Temminck, whose peculiar tenets on the subject of genera 

 have been so ably answered and refuted by Mr. Vigors, will not 

 permit Irena to form a genus ; because it is nearly related to 

 Dicrurus (Edolius. Tern.); and he has actually placed it in that 

 genus. No further proof of this affinity, therefore, need be urged ; 

 while the perusal of Dr. Horsfield's description (the accuracy of 

 which has not been questioned) will fully establish a sufficient 

 distinction between the two types. 



The genuine Drongos appear totally excluded from Australasia ; 

 yet we find they are beautifully represented in the Ornithology of 

 that country, by the Carinated Flycatcher. (%ool. 111. vol. 3. 

 pi. 147). This bird will in all probability form a distinct type ; 

 allied to Dicrurus in general habit, and to Irenaby its truncated 

 or even tail. I confess, that at the time of my first describing the 

 bird, this affinity did not occur to me. I then placed it condi- 

 tionally among the Muscicapidw, detailing those characters which 

 will now form its generic distinction. At present we know but 

 of one species, but I have little doubt many others will be disco- 

 vered when the inland productions of that vast country are better 

 known. 



It is here most probably that we should notice Jrtamus* (Vieil.) 

 a remarkable genus of birds from Australasia. The structure of 

 their bill is evidently a modification of the form seen in Dicrurus, 

 and will therefore briug them into the same family. Yet the extra- 

 ordinary length of their wings (which in proportion and structure 



* M. Vieillot first distinguished these birds by the generic name of Artamus, 

 in 1816, (See Analyse d'une Nouvelle Ornithologie Elementaire, p. 41). In 

 the following year was published the Regne Animal, where they appear as 

 the genus Ocypterus. M. Temminck adopts this name. Dr. Horsfield, appa- 

 rently not aware of the prior denomination of M. Vieillot, proposesLeptopteryx, 

 justly observing that a genus Ocyptera has been already established in 

 Entomology, by M. La^reille, in the Genera Insectorum, published in 1809. 



