xX INTRODUCTION. 
ponents of the Orders and Families, much diversity of opinion 
exists respecting the validity of many of the Genera which have 
been proposed and even adopted ; nor is this surprising, for, after 
all, a generic name is mainly—and often purely—-a matter of con- 
venience. According to the Rules for Nomenclature which are 
known as the Stricklandian Code, a genus should be based upon 
some structural character ; but pattern of coloration and even general 
habits have often been allowed to carry weight when anatomical 
distinctions would have proved insufficient by themselves to attain 
the desired end—namely, generic separation. On the other hand, 
important structural characters have often been passed over when 
these were not apparent in preserved skins ; and finally, there are 
many genera which are highly artificial. 
Order PASSERES. 
Family TURDID. 
Subfamily TURDIN#. 
Young in first plumage differ from the adults in having the upper and under 
parts spotted. Only one moult, in autumn. 
Turpbus, Zézneus.—Bill moderate, straight, convex above; point of the upper 
mandible compressed, notched, and slightly decurved ; gape furnished witha 
few hairs. Nostrils basal, lateral, oval, partly closed by a membrane. 
Wings with the first or ‘ bastard’ quill very short ; the second shorter than 
the third or the fourth, one of which is generally the longest of all. Tail 
rather long. Tarsus longer than the middle toe ; outer toe connected with 
the middle toe at the base (p. 1). 
Monticota, Soze.—Bill stout, straight, 'the ridge arched towards the point ; 
gape almost hairless. Nostrils basal, round, partly covered with hairs. 
Wings moderate; the first quill short, the second a little shorter than the 
third, which is longest. Feet moderately stout. Tail short and even (p. 17). 
SaxicoLa, Bechstein.—Bill straight, broad at the base; the upper mandible 
receding towards the forehead, compressed towards the tip, which is decurved 
and more or less indented. Nostrils basal, supernal and oval. Gape with 
afew hairs. Wings with the first quill very short, the third or fourth the 
longest ; coverts and scapulars short. Tarsus long, covered in front by one 
long scale, to which succeed two or three shorter scutellz ; the outer toe 
partly united to the middle toe ; hind claw short, strong and curved (p. 19). 
PraTiIncoLa, AY LZ. Aoch.—Bill shorter and broader than in Saxzco/a ; bristles 
at the gape strongly developed. ‘Wings and tail rather short (p. 27). 
Ruticitia, C. ZL. Brehm.—Bill slender, compressed towards the point, a little 
deflected and very slightly emarginated ; gape with tolerably large bristles. 
