BRANT—BROADBILL 57 
Even in winter, however, its diversified plumage is sufficiently 
striking. 
BRANT or BRENT, words of doubtful etymology: the 
former spelling is most usually adopted by American, the latter 
by English authors, and in Britain the word Goose is generally 
added. 
BREASTBONE, see STERNUM. 
BRISTLE-BIRD, the name given by the colonists to three 
species of the genus Sphenura of Lichtenstein (as now restricted) 
which inhabit Australia, from the two or three pairs of strong 
recurved bristles which project laterally from the gape. They 
were formerly considered to belong to the Sylviide ; but latterly, 
like many others, have been referred (chiefly on account of their 
short wings) to the Timeliide by Mr. Sharpe (Cat. B. br. Mus. 
vi. p. 104). Their true position seems yet to be determined. 
They mostly conceal themselves in thickets, especially in marshy 
places, flying very little, but running very quickly, and carrying 
the tail erect. The nest is built of dry grass, globular in form, 
and is of large size. 8S. brachyptera, the type of the genus, inhabits 
New South Wales, and the two others, S. longirostris and S. 
broadbenti, are found in Western Australia and the interior of 
South Australia respectively. Allied to Sphenura is Amytis, with 
3 or 4 species, also Australian, somewhat Wren-like in form, and 
having the gape beset with five pairs of bristles, which, however, 
are directed more forwardly, and are weaker. 
BROADBILL, Swainson’s name, appropriate as will be seen by 
the figure, in 1837 (Classif. B. ii. p. 80), for a remarkable group of 
birds comprehending 
the genus Lurylenius 
of Horsfield (7vrans. 
LInnn. Soc. xiii. p. 170) 
and some allied forms, 
all inhabiting the 
Indian Region, and 
especially developed 
in Malacca, Java, Su- 
matra, and Borneo; 
but found also in the 3 
elevated part of India, EURYLAMUS. ae eee a ALYPTOMENA. 
and extending to the 
Philippines. The position of this group, which was in 1842 
recognized by Baron de Selys-Longchamps as forming a good 
Family, Eurylemidx, had long been doubtful, some authors regard- 
ing it as allied to the Muscicapide (FLY-CATCHER), others to the 
Coraciide (ROLLER), and so forth. By degrees what seems to 
