LANIIN 231 
Subfamily I. LANTINAi. 
Bill compressed at the sides, and deeper than broad at the nostrils, 
which are covered by the frontal feathers or bristles; rictal bristles well 
developed. Lower back with the feathers normal. Tail considerably more 
than half the length of the wing. 
The range is the same as that of the family, the grey-backed members 
extending over Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America. I have divided 
this subfamily into six genera, of which three are confined to Tropical and 
South Africa, with the exception of Fiscus nubicus, which ranges northward 
into the Eastern Mediterranean district. 
KEY TO THE GENERA. 
a. The sexes may be generally easily distinguished by the 
colouring of the flanks. 
a1, Feathers of crown, neck, and flanks lanceolate; tail 
very strongly graduated, and more than twice the 
length of the wing . . Urolestes. 
61, Feathers of crown, neue oad catnkeg ah ‘Inneoohita: 
tail shorter. 
a*. Tail-feathers narrow and strongly graduated (gradu- 
ation more than half the length of the wing); wings 
and tail brown, with some rufous bars; flanks with a 
large chestnut patch, at least in the females. . . . Corvinella. 
b?. Tail-feathers comparatively broader and less strongly 
graduated; greater portion of quills and tail black; 
the females generally distinguished by the rufous 
patch on the flanks ae ee Hscus. 
b. Plumage of the sexes never See seeisbable by the polecenas 
of the flanks only ; the black on the hinder half of 
the head never extends down the whole length of the 
neck ; crown never black. 
ct. No portion of upper parts rufous in adults; quills 
black, with some white bases; crown, hind neck, 
and upper back mostly grey. . . Sod oo PECTS 
‘ga fits with some rufous on the upper parts 
- Tail not rufous. 
bas, Scapulars white; a bright rufous one on the 
crown and hind-neck. . . eg a MEIC: 
O°; Scapularsrufous- . . ... =... « » « Hmneoctonus. 
dcmetalerufouse Gees) ss 2 se fh ss es cl 6] Otomela. 
