ALECTCRA. 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- 

 turus ; but the prejudices of system and its techni- 

 calities made him subsequently abandon the name 

 and the distinction, and he incorporated them with 

 a confused assemblage of birds now passing under 

 the general designation of Muscicapa. We must, 

 therefore, cite M. Yieillot's name to this genus, in 

 contradiction even to himself; for had he paid due 

 attention to the observations of Azara, or had given 

 more than a hasty glance at the structure of the 

 birds themselves, he would never have differed from 

 his master and from himself. The Alecturi seem to 

 be common in some parts of the southern provinces 

 of Tropical America, but they are not met with in 

 other localities. 



