ALECTURA. 95 



ordinary flycatchers ; he consequently formed them 

 into a distinct genus, without giving any other than 

 a vernacular name. M. Vieillot, in the first instance, 

 adopted Azara's views, and termed the group Alec- 

 ;urus ; hut the prejudices of system and its techni- 

 calities made him subsequently abandon the name 

 and the distinction, and he incorporated them with 

 i confused assemblage of birds now passing under 

 he general designation of Mtiscicapa. We must, 

 herefore, cite M. Vieillot's name to this genus, in 

 contradiction even to himself; for had he paid due 

 attention to the observations of Azara, or had given 

 nore than a hasty glance at the structure of the 

 ds themselves, he would never have differed from 

 iis master and from himself. The Alecturi seem to 

 >e common in some parts of the southern provinces 

 if* Tropical America, but they are not met with in 

 inj other localities. 



