PSAR1S. 81 



the tyrant shrikes (Tyrannince). We suspect 

 these birds to feed both upon insects and fruits, for 

 several have rictal bristles, and their gape is very 

 wide. There is a peculiarity in their colouring 

 which deserves attention ; four or five, which from 

 other circumstances we know to be distinct species, 

 are nevertheless coloured precisely alike; they 

 are of that delicate light grey, so universally seen 

 among the gulls, but with black heads and wings. 

 Now, we explain this remarkable analogy by point- 

 ing to the part of the circle of Muscicapidae where 

 this group enters, and we shall then find that this 

 station is precisely analogous to that which the 

 Laridce or true gulls appear to hold in the circle of 

 the Natatores ; the Natatores being itself represented 

 among the Dentirostres by the family of Musci- 

 capidce. The large head, again, of all the Psariance 

 reminds us at once of the Pachycephala among the 

 chatterers, and on comparing the two family circles, 

 those particular groups stand opposite to each other. 

 It is right however to mention, that no such analogy 

 can be traced between Querula and the swallow 

 chatterers (BombycillicUie)^ but then it may be as 

 fairly supposed this want of conformity originates 

 in ignorance of undiscovered birds, as in erroneous 

 views. Time, however, will clear up such nice 

 points which now lay open to controversy, and in 

 the mean time we must endeavour to dispose the 

 contents of imperfect groups, like the present, as 

 near as we can to the course which nature has pur- 

 ued in her more perfect groups. 



