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MUSCICAPID.E. 



Among the Muscicapidc?. which follow next, we 

 have also very few native species, (two only,) 

 among a vast variety of forms. The British 

 species are members of the genus Muscicapa, 

 typical of their own sub-family, and shew a form 

 confined to the Old World. They are in general 

 small birds of not very obtrusive colouring, they 

 have a solitariness and depression of appearance 

 about their habits and manner, and are almost 

 entirely insectivorous, seizing their prey on the 

 wing, for which purpose their form is in every 

 respect beautifully fitted. All, we believe, are 

 migratory, or partially so. 



Muse ic AP A, Linnceits. Generic characters 

 Bill rather strong, triangular, dilated at the 

 base, the rictus furnished with very fine but 

 short bristles ; wings rather long, the first 

 quill spurious, third longest, second and 

 fourth equal; tail even, or slightly forked; 

 tarsus and middle toe equal, the whole 

 member rather weak. 

 Type. M. luctuosa and grisola. 



I 



M. luctuosa. 



