QUERULA. 73 



although short, are very stiff; the feet are remark- 

 ably short, small, and weak. It is not surprising 

 that writers who are led to decide by outward and 

 general similitudes, should have placed this singular 

 bird in the same genus as its prototype, the Cora- 

 cina scutata (Tern.), seeing that the colours of both 

 are nearly the same. The Coracina, however, is 

 merely the representative, among the crows, of 

 Querula; its bill is high, compressed instead of de- 

 pressed; and the feet, although very short, are 

 remarkably strong ; the lateral toes are likewise 

 equal, while those of Querula are unequal : the bill, 

 in short, of each bird, at once proclaims its family. 

 Did the Piahau stand alone in the station we have 

 assigned to it, we should have had much hesitation 

 in removing it beyond the circle of the Ampelidce^ 

 although quite ignorant what precise station it 

 would hold in that circle. But fortunately there is 

 another bird which is so clearly connected to Que- 

 rula, yet is nevertheless such a decided flycatcher 

 that our confidence in the arrangement we are now 

 pursuing is greatly increased. "We shall here insert 

 the only species yet known of this genus. 



