m 



REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. 



[part I. 





r . 



fectly distinct. Even in the first section individuals, in nearly all 

 the species, may be noted with indications of separate scutellae. 



The Turdus gigas of Fraser has been placed among the typical 

 Thrushes, but realjy differs in many important points, as does still 

 more the 2T aurantius of Jamaica, in shorter wings, much longer 

 1st primary, very long tarsi, and other characters of Mimocichla. 

 I have accordingly been obliged to consider as a good genus the 

 section Semi.nerula of Sclater, although I would prefer to consider 

 aurantius as the type rather than gigas and its allies : — 



A. Turdinae. — Taraua covered anteriorly with a continuous plate. 



1. Wings decidedly longer than the tail,' which is nearly 



even. Bill considerably shorter than the head. 



First quill one-half to one-third the second. Wings 

 rounded. Tarsus longer than the head ; out- 

 stretched toes reaching beyond the tail . . Caiharus. 



First quill usually not one-fourth the second. Wings 

 pointed. Tarsus hardly the length of head, but 

 yet longer than middle toe; outstretched toes 

 falling short of tip of tail .... Turdus. 



Wings as in 2'urdus. Tarsus shorter than middle 

 toe. Bill short and very broad ; width greater 

 than distance from nostril to tip . . . Platycichla,* 



First quill more than one-third the second. Wings 

 rounded. Tarsus considerably longer than 

 head ; outstretched toes falling short of tip of 

 tail. Bill lengthened ..... Seinimerula. 



2. Wings about equal to the tail, which is somewhat 



graduated. Bill stout, nearly as long as the head. 

 Tarsus lengthened, considerably longer than mid- 

 dle toe and claw. 

 First quill more than one-third the second. Rictal 



bristles very short ...... Mimocichla. 



S. Wings longer than the tail, which is considerably 

 rounded. Bill longer than the head, and slightly 

 decurved. 

 First quill more than half the longest . . . Ehamvhocinclus. 



B. Miminea.' — Tar?» scutellate anteriorly ; scutell» seven. 



4. vViii^s deriiiedly longer than the tail, which is nearly 

 even. Tarsus as long as the head.- 

 Tarsus hardly longer than middle toe and claw. 

 Bill about equal to the head, decidedly notched ; 



• In the present work the length of the tail is measured from the coccyx, 

 inside of the skin, and not, as usually the case, from the base of the quills at 

 their insertion. The wings are measured from the carpal joint, with dividers. 



* Possibly CichlopsiSf Cab., but diffeiiu'^ much from his description. 



