350 KOUTII AMKKICAX IJIKI>S. 



AVo now conu' to tlic ('onsitlcration of tliree fjunilios of Oscinc l)ir«ls, of 

 |ue-L'iiiiiit*iilly ilt'iitirostial type, luivin^' certain conini(»n t'lianicters liy wliicli 

 tliey are ili.stin<;uislial»k*, with bnt little ditlieulty, Ironi all others. In their 

 close relationsliij) it has l»een <[Uestioneil l»y many whether they do not all 

 helonjj[ iiiitler one head, hut they are more generally considered distinct. 

 The common characters, and those j)eculiar to each, are as follows : — 



CoMMov (^rvirACTKi:^. Hill stout, an<l consiiKTalily hookt'd ut tip, or with the point I tent 

 abruptly dowiiwanl ; with a <Kh'1» notch, and sonu-tiuu's a tooth or lobe just bohin-l the 

 notch; the tip ul' the lower niandihlc likcuisf Itciiut'iitly hcnt up. and with a notch 

 hi'hind it. The nostrils lateral, the bristles of the mouth ^'•I'lierally well developed. The 

 primaries are ten (except in a few Vircos), the outer from one lourth to om- hall" the sec- 

 ond. Tail variable. Tarsi scutellate anteri<nly ; sometimes with a tendency to division on 

 the lateial plates; hitherto not met with. Basal joints ot" toes more adherent. 8ejiarated 

 from Tnrdidit by greater adhesion of toes ; Ironi lyoi/fodiffidir by notched and hooked 

 bill. etc. 



A* Basal phalanx ot" anterior toes abbreviated ; that of median toe decidedly shorter than 

 the basal of imur. or the two b:isal of outer, and adherent for its whole length on both 

 sides to the lateral (i. e. not tree at all). Lateral plates of tarsus undivided, except at 

 extreme K)W«'r end. 



Vireonidae. Gonys more than half the length of lower jaw (from tip to angle of 



mouth), usually longer than width of mouth, which is narrow. Bill conical, nnich 



compressed, decurved at end and notched, but scarcely toothed. Frontal feathers 



bristly and erect, (»r bent but slightly lorward. Nostrils overhung by membrane. 



Tarsus longer than middle t(»e and claw. Lateral toes generally unequal; outer claw 



reaching halt"-way along middle claw. 



B« Basal phalanx of middle toe about as long as the basal of imier, or tlu' two basal of 



outer; free externally, at least for about one third its length, internally for about one 



half. Lateial plates of tarsus with decided tendency to subdivision (except in Myiades- 



tiiat). 



Ampelidae. (lonys decidedly less than half the length of lower jaw, or than width 

 ol mouth, which is very l>road and deeply cleft. Bill triangular, much depressed, de- 

 curvetl at end and notched, with moderat»» though decided tooth. Frontal feathers 

 rather soft, scarcely bristly or erect. Nostrils overhung by membrane. Tarsus equal 

 to or shorter than middle toe and claw. Lateral toes nearly e(pial; outer claw reach- 

 ing only to base of mi(Mle claw. 



Laniidae. (lonys about half the length of lower jaw ; about equal to width of mouth. 

 Bill very powerful and ra{)iorial, nuich »-ompressed, with a strongly marked hook, 

 notch, and tooth at end. Frontal leathers very bristly, and directed forwards, so as 

 to conceal nostrils and base of bill. Nostrils with bony walls, except behind. Tarsus 

 longer than middle toe and cla\v, sometimes much scutellate on sides. Lateral claws 

 nearly equal ; outer claw reaching a little beyond base of middle claw. 



