1899.] F. Finn — On a neio species of BJnmraj. 121 



is quite true, but I submit that all these characters taken together are 

 not of family value even for Passeres. Colour of plumage cannot be 

 allowed to go for much, and besides, we have the blue-grey Bicrurus 

 leucogemjs — showing one of the most characteristic of the Laniine liues. 

 A forked tail recurs among the Cuckoo-shrikes in Campochsera and 

 Pteropodocys, and the number of feathers in it cannot be considered of 

 much import, when we allow the Thrushes of the genus Oreocincla to 

 have twelve or fourteen, and yet remain together. 



An anatomical distinction, which Mr. Gates has not noticed is 

 that the Dicrm-idsB, alone among Passeres, lack the accessory semiten- 

 dinosus muscle, as recorded by Garrod. But I fail to see that an 

 isolated anatomical character like this, especially in the case of these 

 leg-muscles, which are known to vary unaccountably, should entitle the 

 Drongos to family rank, any more than the possession of powder-down 

 patches (likewise not mentioned by Mr. Gates) does the Swallow- 

 shrikes, which alone among their order exhibit them. The Drono-os I 

 may mention, so far as I have been able to observe, all use their feet 

 like other arboreal shrikes, which they resemble in build, hoppino- 

 when on the ground, and grasping their food in one foot— even some- 

 times carrying it thus. (See J. A. S. B., May J 898). 



It may be objected that on the score of convenience it would be 

 better to have all the so nearly-related genera of Dicruridse bracketed 

 together: but it seems to me that it would be more convenient and 

 natural still to regard them all as constituting one natural but some- 

 what polymorphic genus. The degree of furcation of the tail and the 

 style of crest are hardly to be considered as of generic importance, 

 taken against the general similarity of build ; and the differing forms 

 of bill can be largely explained by reference to the habits of the species. 

 From what Dr. Sliarpe states in the British Museum Cataloo-ue of 

 Birds, Vol. III. pp. 230, 235, it may be seen that a distinct gradation 

 exists between two such extreme forms as the shrike-like, purelv 

 zoophagous Dicrtirus ater and the slender-billed, partially melliphao-ous 

 Chibia hottentotta : and if these can be united, I see no reason why the 

 genus should not be made to embrace the entire family. 



