439 



mandible curved at tip, slightly notched, somewhat obtuse; 

 lower slightly recurved at the point : nostrils basal, lateral, 

 concave, longitudinal, covered by a membrane : tongue carti- 

 laginous, bifid at tip. Tarsi longer than the middle toe, 

 smooth ; heel naked ; inner toe free, hardly longer than the 

 hind one : lateral toes equal. Wings short, rounded ; spu- 

 rious feather very short ; third and fourth primaries longest. 

 Tail short. 



Female hardly differing in plumage from the male : young 

 more tinged with reddish. Moult annually. Plumage water 

 proof. 



Solitary. Frequent brooks and clear streams, diving, and 

 walking on the gravelly bottom beneath the surface of the 

 water, which appears to be their favourite element. Feed on 

 aquatic insects, and small Crustacea. Build in the vicinity of 

 rivulets, hiding the nest carefully. Flight rapid, straight, 

 skimming the surface of the water. Voice feeble, shrill. 



Inhabit the north of both continents. Composed of but two 

 intimately allied species, both probably Asiatic, though one 

 is found in Europe, and the other in North America. Re- 

 motely allied to the order Grallae by their habits, and naked 

 heel ; but belonging decidedly to this Family (Canori). 



94. bis. Cinclus pallash, Temra. Wholly dark cinereous. 



Cinclus Pallasii, Nob. Am. Om. iii.pl. 16. jig. U. 



Cinclus mexicanas, Swainson in Phil. Mag. new series. 



Inhabits near the Rocky Mountains, and in Mexico : also 

 probably north-eastern Asia. 



Note 12. Sylvia peregrina. I can hardly doubt of the iden- 

 tify of this and S. bicolor of Vieill. pi. 90. bis. They differ only in 

 one being described as blue, and the other as green, which colors 

 sometimes interchange according to the incidence of light. If I 

 am right, V's name of course must be adopted. 



Note 13. Since this part of the Synopsis was printed, we have 

 determined by comparison, the identity of Troglodytes adon and 



