HYLIOTA. 229 



We have now traversed the whole of that great 

 circle which is composed of the sub-family Mwcica* 

 pinas. We commenced with the genus Rhipidura, 

 and then proceeded successively through those of 

 Monacha, Megalophus, Todus, and Muscicapa, 

 dwelling upon all the minor circles they contained, 

 and pointing out the graduated chain of connexion 

 between each. We have endeavoured to demon- 

 strate the truth of our propositions at every step by 

 as refined a species of analysis as we possibly could 

 make. But our task in regard to this great circle 

 is not yet done ; for we have not yet shown in wLat 

 manner the Muscicapince, as a whole, actually form 

 a circle. We entered it at one point, which was 

 Rhipidura, and having traced it as far as Mttsci- 

 tapa, it yet remains to be proved that these two 

 groups unite, so that the circle is actually formed, 

 and that the series returns into itself. We are, in 

 other words, to return by a different route to 

 the point from whence we started : this point was 

 the genus Rhipidura. The question then is, in 

 what manner is this genus united to Musclcapa ? 

 How is the junction made, and the circle closed ? 

 We will leave this to the observation of the reader 

 with little or no comment. Let him turn to the 

 description and figure of our Myadestes genibarbis, 

 then look upon that of Muscicapa eryihaca, and he 

 will at once perceive no two birds of two connecting 

 genera can be more closely allied : their very aspect 

 alone bespeaks their connexion. The only doubt 

 that remains on our mind is, whether the latter is 

 not in reality a second species of Myadestes I rather 



