196


FAMILY CHARACTERS IN BIRDS.


Sir, — A remark in Mr. Perkins' letter in the last numlDer of the

Magazine is worth consideration ; as it appears that the importance of

family characters is somewhat over-estimated by some aviculturists. As a

matter of fact families are mere conveniences for the cabinet-naturalist, and

are often based upon a single structural peculiarity which alone unites

certain very distinct sub-families.


Sub-families of different families lua}' be ver\' closely related in all

respects, excepting that which has been seized upon by the systematist as a

distinctive family character; whilst sub-families having this character in

common, may differ far more in other respects.


In the family Turdidcz, the lurdince are naturally distinguishable from

the Syl-viiiicB by their spotted young, a character most important when

considering the question of affinity ; on the other hand the young of

Warblers are not spotted, and it is evident that they are a perfectly separate

branch of the Thrush-like stock; indeed their clearly scaled tarsi

distinguish them at once from the Tiirdina, in which the front of the foot

(popularly known as leg) is quite smooth and undivided until just before

the junction with the claws (digits).


The two families Fiingillida and Ploceidce are even more nearly

related than most of the bird-families, for they differ chiefly in the relative

length of the first primary and its covert ; so that, whereas the first primary

may be even longer in a genus of t3'pical Finches than in a genus of

Weaving-finches, it is not apparent, owing to the greater length of the

covert. It is true that the Weaving-finches build cave-like nests, whilst

most typical finches build open nests; but the ^q.\\\xs, Phonipara {\\\\\q.\\ has

been placed b}' scientists in the Fruigillida:) builds like a Waxbill ; whilst

the species of Passer build purse -shaped nests somewhat approaching in

character those of certain Grass-finches.


It seems to me that the mere habit of eating fruit and the notching

of the upper mandible to that end, although it may serve as a good family

distinction, affords no evidence of long separation in point of time. In the

family Icterida we have both fruit-eaters and seed-eaters, — Hang-nests and

Troupials ; but I must admit that I believe the Troupials to be indistinguish-

able from triie Starlings (which also eat seed voluntarily when they can get

it) unless the fact that they nest on or near the ground, like some of the

Buntings, be regarded as sufiEciently important to warrant their separation

from the hole-breeders.


In like manner I doubt whether the New World Bush-creepers are

distinct from the Old World Warblers, the supposed nine-primar}' distinction

hetween the Mniotiltidcs and Sylviincz being a fiction : perhaps some more

learned student of ornithology among our members can suggest a reliable

family difference between these birds.


Arthur G. Buti,er.



THE EAvSTFRN NIGHTINGALE OR SPROSSER.


Erithaciis phtlotnela.


Sir, — Will you kindl}^ let me know if there is a bird known by tli

name of the " Nightingale Thrush " ?



