SPECTACLE, OB WHITE-WINGED WATER-CHAT. 107 



the upper part brown ; in both sexes the legs are 

 deep black. 



Total length, 6 inches; bill, gape, T 8 5 ; wings, 

 3/o; tail beyond, 1; base, 2f; tarsus, 1. 



We now enter upon the sub-family of the 



MUSCICAPINjE, 



GENUINE FLY-CATCHERS, 



by far the most extensive and consequently varied 

 group of this family. It is composed of those broad 

 billed insectivorous little birds -which dart upon 

 their prey as it were from an ambush; they fix 

 their station on the end of a branch or a projecting 

 spray, from whence they suddenly dart upon such 

 flying insects as come within a certain range, seldom 

 making any attempt to pursue them, or to repeat 

 another swoop if the first has been unsuccessful ; 

 sedentary habits, such as these, are not likely to call 

 the feet of such birds into exercise, we consequently 

 find that these members are always short and re- 

 markably feeble in every part of their construction; 

 the length of the tarsus, in fact, is very seldom more 



