D PASSERES OSCINES 



(2) The Mesomyodi. With the intrinsic muscles inserted into 

 the middle of the bronchial semi-rings. 



The Mesomyodi are not represented in South Africa, and need 

 not further concern us. 



The Acromyodi are again sub-divided into the : 



(i.) Normales or Oscines, with from four to seven pairs of 

 intrinsic syringeal muscles. 



(ii.) Abnormales or Suboscines, containing only the Australian 

 Menuridez (Lyre Birds) with three pairs of muscles, and Atrichiidce 

 (Scrub Birds) with two pairs only. 



PASSERES. (Oscines.) 



Probably no two ornithologists are in complete accordance with 

 regard to the subdivisions of the Oscines. 



In subdividing the South African Oscines into the following 

 twenty families I follow to a large extent the classification proposed 

 by Dr. Sharpe in a paper read before the Second Ornithological 

 Congress at Buda Pest in 1891, on " Recent Attempts to Classify 

 Birds." 



Families of OSCINES. 



I. Corvidce (Crows). 

 II. Sturnidce (Starlings and Ox-peckers). 



III. OriolidcB (Orioles). 



IV. Ploceidce (Weaver Birds, Waxbills, Bishop Birds). 

 V. FringillidcB (Finches and Buntings). 



VI. Alaudidce (Larks). 



VII. Motacillidce (Longclaws, Pipits, Wagtails). 

 VIII. Cerihiida (Creepers). 



IX. Promeropida (Long- tailed Sugar Birds). 

 X. NectariniidcB (Sunbirds). 



XI. Zosteropidce (White-eyes). 

 XII. Parida (Tits). 



XIII. Laniida (Shrikes, Bush Shrikes). 

 XIV. Crateropodidce (Babblers, Bulbuls). 



XV. Sylviida (Warblers). 



XVI. Turdida (Thrushes, Chats, Robin-Chats). 

 XVII. Muscicapidce (Flycatchers). 



