136 Family Cinclid.^. 



FAMILY CINCLID^. 



WE now come to the second family of the Passeres, represented in Great 

 Britain by one resident species only, belonging to the typical genus 

 Cinc/its. 



All Ornithologists do not, however, agree with Mr. Howard Saunders as to 

 the validity of the family Cinclida ; for Mr. Seebohm placed the Dippers among 

 the Thrush-like birds Turdina, stating that they " may be distinguished from the 

 true Thrushes by their short concave wings fitting tightly to the body, and their 

 dense plumage adapted to their aquatic habits." 



On the other hand, Dr. Sharpe refers Ciuclus to the end of the Subfamily 

 Troglodytina or Wren-like birds, a group which they certainly resemble in their 

 domed mossy nests and white eggs, and to which also they have a slight likeness. 



Perhaps, until the Doctors of this science have definitely established the 

 natural position of the Dippers beyond all dispute, by careful dissection of their 

 clothing, body, bones, and (having completed the dry bones) of the life-history, 

 including song, call-note, alarm-note, and note of indignation ; until, I say, all 

 this has been done, perhaps it will be most convenient to regard the Dippers as 

 constituting a distinct family. 



As in the Wrens, the wings and tail are short, the first quill being very 

 short, the outer toe of the tarsus is also connected at the base with the middle 

 toe ; but the bill is somewhat different, the tip of the upper mandible being 

 slightly curved over, whereas that of a Wren is pointed ; altogether the Trogh- 

 dytine characters are very strong, and Dr. Sharpe gives us yet another, as follows: — 

 " The principal characteristic, however, of a Wren, and one that separates it from 

 the true Tinieliine birds, is the almost entire absence of rictal bristles," — " for 

 Ornithologists who doubt that Cinclus is a Wren, an examination of the bill alone 

 will be sufficient to show that its place is with the Troglodytina.''' 



