142 SYLVIINJE. PHILOMELA. 



sectivorous, are migratory. Species are found in all parts 

 of the globe. In Britain sixteen have been met with. 



GENUS XLIII. PHILOMELA. NIGHTINGALE. 



Bill of moderate length, straight, rather broader than high 

 at the base, compressed toward the end ; upper mandible 

 with the dorsal line slightly declinate, the ridge narrow, the 

 notches faint, the tip acute ; lower mandible with the dorsal 

 line slightly convex, the tip rather acute. Mouth of mode- 

 rate width ; tongue slender, sagittate and papillate at the 

 base, tapering to a slit and lacerated point ; oesophagus of 

 moderate width, without dilatation ; proventriculus oblong ; 

 stomach a gizzard of moderate power, roundish, compressed, 

 with rather thin muscles, large tendons, thin, dense, longi- 

 tudinally rugous epithelium ; intestine short, of moderate 

 width ; cceca very small, cylindrical. Eyes rather small. 

 Nostrils rather large, oblong, operculate. External aperture 

 of ear large, roundish. Head ovate-oblong ; neck short ; body 

 rather slender. Tarsi rather long, slender, compressed, with 

 eight anterior scutella, of which the upper are indistinct ; 

 toes slender, compressed, the first stout, the lateral equal ; 

 claws of moderate length, arched, extremely compressed, late- 

 rally grooved, acute. Plumage soft and blended ; bristles 

 very small ; wings of moderate length, broad, rounded ; the 

 first quill very short, third longest, second and fifth equal ; 

 tail rather long, straight, even, or slightly rounded. 



The Nightingales form a genus differing from the Sylviae 

 chiefly in being of a more slender form, and in having the 

 bill, tarsi, and tail, more elongated. They are very inti- 

 mately allied to the Turdinae. One species occurs in Eng- 

 land. 



77. PHILOMELA LUSCINIA. BRAKE NIGHTINGALE. 



Upper mandible reddish-brown, lower pale yellowish-brown 

 at the tip ; feet and claws pale greyish-brown ; plumage above 

 reddish-brown, redder on the head and rump, the tail of a 

 brighter tint ; throat, lower part of breast, and abdomen, grey- 

 ish-white ; lower part of neck and sides pale greyish-brown ; 

 lower tail-coverts dull yellowish-white. Young similar, but 



