INSESSORES. ERYTHACA. 187 



Genus ERYTHACA, Sjfjinson. REDBREAST. 



GENERIC CHARACTERS. 



Bill broad, and rather depressed at the base, gently nar- 

 rowing towards the tip, where it is but slightly compressed ; 

 of mean strength, with the upper mandible deflected at the 

 tip, and emarginated. Tomia of both mandibles with a 

 slight intraction near the middle. Nostrils basal, lateral, 

 oval, pierced in a large membrane, and nearly concealed by 

 the projecting feathers of the antias. Gape bearded with 

 thick bristly hairs. Wings having the first quill' very short, 

 the second double the length of the first, the third shorter 

 than the fourth and fifth, which last are nearly equal, and 

 the longest in the wing. Legs with the tarsi longer than 

 the middle toe. The outer toe joined at its base to the 

 middle one ; the former and the inner toe short, nearly equal 

 in length, and each reaching only to the second joint of the 

 middle one. Claws not much hooked ; that of the hind toe 

 the longest. Form short and compact. 



The Common Redbreast, the type of the genus, in its form 

 and habits shews its decided affinity to the other members of 

 this subfamily, and points to the situation it now holds, as 

 more appropriate than when arranged in the subfamily 

 Philomel'ina. Like Saxicola, it is as well adapted, from the 

 length of the tarsus, and the form of the feet, for progression 

 on the ground as for perching on trees, and is as frequently 

 seen on the former situation, where also it obtains its food. 

 It is closely related to the genus Sialia of Swainson, which 

 is, indeed, its American representative ; this latter genus 

 differing principally in the proportions of the quill feathers, 

 and the comparative shortness of the tarsi. 



