SUBFAMILY NASITERNIN^. 



Genus NASITERNA. 



By Mr. G. D. ROWLEY. 



This genus was " established by Waglerin 1830 (Abhandl. Akad. Miinchen, 

 1832). Micropsifta of M. Lesson (1831) is synonymous " (Gray's ' Genera,' 

 vol. ii.). It now consists of three species. Doubt has been expressed as to 

 the position of these remarkable forms, which can never be properly cleared 

 away till we have an examination in the flesh. Mr. Wallace says (Ibis, 1874, 

 3rd ser. vol. iv. p. 407), in a valuable article on the Passeres : — "There are 

 great objections to the use of characters drawn from the fleshy parts of birds. 

 It is only in comparatively few instances that they have been accurately 

 observed ; and they are for this reason of little use to the naturalist who 

 possesses even the most extensive collection of skins and skeletons." This 

 is most true ; but when they have been accurately observed, as by the Prosector 

 of the Zoological Society, for instance, they are of considerable benefit. The 

 author proceeds to say : — " There is reason to believe that the larynx, the 

 intestines, and the other internal soft parts are liable to much modification, 

 even in closely allied forms. In order to be practically useful, the characters 

 on which genera, families, and groups of families are founded must, whenever 

 possible, be drawn from those parts which can be examined in every well- 

 preserved skin, supplemented in critical cases by a reference to the sternum, 

 the cranium, or other parts of the skeleton." There is much weight in these 

 observations ; but the point is not what is " practically useful," but what is 

 the real fact respecting the subject under examination. We cannot change 

 the fact, if it exists. If we shut our eyes to the light afl^orded by myology 

 and the fleshy parts, we travel in an unsafe road, and may fall into error. 



