430 MANUAL OF PHILIPPINE BIRDS. 3 
Family MUSCICAPIDZ. 
Edges of mandibles smooth wij a small notch near the tip of the 
upper one; bill moderately broad and flat ; nostrils protected by a number 
of long frontal bristles; frontal feathers more or less antrorse (soft and 
pile-like in some genera), but not entirely concealing the nostrils; rictal 
bristles long, numerous, and stiff; wings and tail long, the latter ex- 
tremely long in some species; first primary, rarely minute, usually from 
one-half to two-thirds as long as wing; tarsus and feet slender and weak, 
the former rather short. This family contains a great number of closely 
related genera the species of which, in many cases, are not easily deter- 
mined except from adult males. 
Typically the bill is broad and flat, but in certain genera it is narrow 
and scarcely differs from the bill of some Turdine and Silvine birds. 
The frontal nasal bristles, long rictal bristles, and the weak legs and feet, 
are the most reliable family characters of this group. In the typical 
flycatchers the skin is very thin and tender which, taken in combination 
with their small necks and large heads, makes their preparation as speci- 
mens very trying. 
Some of the most beautiful birds found in the Philippine Islands 
belong to this family, but several of the species are plainly colored. The 
males in a few genera possess greatly lengthened tail-feathers; in some 
others the head is crested. 
Genera. 
a’. First primary very small and less than tarsus, equal to about one-fifth of 
second primary, the latter nearly as long as the third. 
Hemichelidon (p. 431) 
a’, First primary longer and equal to, or greater than, tarsus; second primary 
less than three times the first. 
b'. Second primary longer, equal to nearly three times the first. 
©, Sexes unlike in colors; bill neither very broad nor flat. 
d', Tarsus about twice the bill from nostril; colors of male yellow, black, 
syle ook 2 ts 2 A Ae ed ae A ee ete Zanthopygia (p. 449) 
d?, Tarsus decidedly less than twice the bill from nostril; colors of male 
plas. thitaek: samid) Wwiited od 2 eed ee ee Cyanoptila (p. 450) 
c?. Sexes alike in colors; bill broad and flat...............2........- Alseonax (p. 435) 
b?. Second primary less than two and one-half times, and usually less than 
twice, the first primary in length. 
c’, Tail decidedly shorter than wing; total length usually less than 150 mm.; 
wing less than 80. 
d*, Most of the plumage blue; usually with more or less black on forehead, 
lores, and chin. 
et. General color azure-blue; head in adult conspicuously crested. 
Camiguinia (p. 453) 
e*. General color verditer-blue; head unerested.............. Eumyias (p. 477) 
S Sat gaat > 
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