684 OBSERVATIONS ON 



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388. Much confusion will arise by adopting the definition that 

 has been given to the names of Turdoides and Ixos, under a 

 belief that they characterize natural groups. As for the names, 

 they must both yield in priority to Brachypus ; the characters 

 of which, published in 1824, will comprehend a considerable 

 portion of these short-legged thrushes. Of the remaining birds, 

 called by methodists Turdoides, some, unquestionably, belong to 

 the Ceblephyri, and others to different sub-families of the Me- 

 ruladse. 



392. M. Temminck's generic name of astor must supersede that of 

 Psaroides. 



398. Sericulus Chrysocephalus. Nob. A minute examination of a 

 very fine and perfect specimen of Paradisea Aurea, in the Paris 

 Museum, has fully confirmed the suspicion we formerly ex- 

 pressed on the affinity which this magnificent bird bears to 

 Sericulus. Both, in fact, are true Orioles : although not strictly 

 belonging to the same type. In regard to the Mimeta of Mr, 

 Vigors, we cannot discover in what respect its structure, in the 

 slightest degree,* differs from that of the common Orioles. The 

 European Oriole we have frequently shot, and dissected. Orni- 

 thologists are greatly indebted to Sir W. Jardine, Bart., and 

 Mr. Selby, for their most valuable illustration of the tongue of 

 Mimeta Virides, which, at the same time, is a perfect represen- 

 tation of that member in Oriolus Galbula. The speculative 

 theory of Mimeta being a truly melifagous bird thus falls to the 

 ground. 



402. Pitta Pileata. The bird named and represented on the PL 

 Col. tab. 76, is Pitta Thoracica, a species, indeed, which ap- 

 pears closely allied to the Timalia Pileata of Dr. Horsfield, in 



* The only external difference between the European and several African 

 and Indian Orioles, now before us, is in the comparative length of the second 

 quill feather. In Oreolus Galbula, this quill is longer than the fifth in all 

 the others; and in Mimeta, \t is either shorter or of equal length. The 

 superior extent of geographic range, enjoyed by the Oriolus Galbuln, above 

 all its known congenors, at once explains why its organs of flight are so 

 much developed. 



