j4 ustralian Birds in the Collection of the Linnean Society. 225 



and graduated tail, which gives a striking character to the typi- 

 cal species of Malurus, is wanting in the present group, in which 

 the tail is short and rounded ; in some species, indeed, inclining 

 to become even. Both groups have a bill which partakes of the 

 character of that of the Muscicapidce, and which has caused some 

 species among them to be referred to that family. But the bill 

 of our group is rather more depressed at the base, is shorter and 

 less arcuated than that of Malurus. In all these points, how- 

 ever, the two groups approach each other so nearly in some of 

 the extreme species, that it is difficult to draw the line of distinc- 

 tion between them. As in all similar cases of groups thus ap- 

 proximating to each other, we fix our attention on the typical 

 species chiefly of each, which in the present instance may be 

 considered to be Malurus Lamberti and Acanthiza pusilla. 



In reference to the European groups of this family, these two 

 forms of the New Holland Warblers appear to approach them 

 more nearly than any other extra- European species. The wings 

 are formed upon the same riiodel, the first quill-feather being- 

 short, although not so much so as in the typical species of 

 Europe. The integrity of the tarsi, however, the uneven tail, 

 and the rictus of the bill partially beset with bristles, and ap- 

 proximating to that of the Flycatchers, sufficiently point out a 

 distinction. Of all the European Sylviada, they resemble most 

 nearly the group of Regains, Cuv. : they want, however, the 

 singular plume which covers the nostrils of that genus. The 

 species which we have met with possess a general similarity in 

 the disposition of their colours ; and they appear to be distin- 

 guished by the character of having the webs of their feathers, 

 particularly about the head and neck, more than usually loose 

 and decomposed. Like the Eeguli they appear to be the in- 

 habitants of bushes and low scrubs. 



VOL. XV. 



2 G 1. Nana. 



