514 PANURIM. 



observing that the bird differed from the Shrikes in the forma- 

 tion of its digestive organs and in its mode of progression on 

 the ground. Some years after in a translation of Cuvier's 

 ' Kegne Animal ', published in 1840, he pointed out (p. 198) 

 that its anatomy was strictly that of a Finch, and that it was 

 much more nearly related to the Waxbills (Estrelda) than to 

 the Parida, while in 1852 (Cat. Mus. As. Soc. p. 134) he 

 placed it at the end of the Fringillidce under the heading 

 " Incertce Sedis." In 1840, Macgillivray, apparently un- 

 aware of Mr. Blyth's prior observation of this bird's in- 

 ternal structure, announced that, having a dilatation of the 

 oasophagus towards the right side, like that possessed by the 

 Buntings and Finches, it ought to be referred to the neigh- 

 bourhood of those birds, and that, though distantly related 

 to the Reed-Bunting, its affinities were to the species of 

 the American genus Ammodromus. In 1860, Mr. Tomes, 

 from an examination of its osteology, came to much the 

 same conclusion both he and Macgillivray conclusively 

 shewing that its former association with the Paridce was 

 most unnatural. In 1863, Jerdon (B. Ind. ii. p. 283) 

 thought that it had relations to the group known as 

 Timeliidce*, near Pyctorhis, while, in 1871, Messrs. Sharpe 

 and Dresser recorded their belief " that it is more closely 

 allied to certain Drymcecine forms, especially the genus 

 Sphenceacus " ; and the latest authority, Prof. Sundevall, in 

 the present year 1873, takes Mr. Blyth's view, placing 

 (Meth. Nat. Av. dispon. Tent. p. 30) Panurus in the family 

 " Viduinse", containing, among many other forms, the well- 

 known Whydah-birds and Waxbills or Bengalees. The 

 Editor is informed by Mr. Bartlett that he considers Panurus 

 allied to Liothrix, from the similarity of their nests and 

 eggs ; while Mr. Parker, from a recent examination of the 

 cranial and palatal features of Panurus, equally dissents 

 from this view as from that taken by Macgillivray and others 

 who referred it to the Finches, declaring it to be a genuine, 



* No two authors seem agreed as to the limits of this family, which as often 

 used probably comprehends members of several others, and requires careful 

 examination and revision. 



