INTRODUCTION. xi 
Nostrils basal, supernal and nearly round. Wings moderate ; the first quill 
short ; the second equal to the sixth ; the third, fourth and fifth nearly equal, 
and one of them the longest. Legs slender, the tarsus longer than the middle 
toe, and covered in front by a single scale and three inferior scutellze (p. 31). 
Cyanecuta, C. L. Brehm.—Differs from the above in having few and very small 
bristles at the gape, four inferior scutellze on the tarsus, and a short middle toe. 
Practically, this genus is based on the blue colour of the throat, and a desire 
to separate the members of this little group from the Redstarts (p. 35). 
EriTuacus, Czvéer.—Bill narrow and depressed at the base, inflected towards 
the point, the upper mandible slightly notched.- Nostrils basal, lateral and 
oval. Gape beset with bristles. Wings rounded ; the first quill only half as 
long as the second, which is shorter than the third; the fourth, fifth and 
sixth nearly equal, and longest. Legs long and slender ; the tarsus with a 
single scale in front and three inferior scutellze ; the outer toe a little longer 
than the inner, and united at its base to the middle toe; the hind toe longer 
and stronger than the others. Plumage generally soft (p. 37). 
Dau ias, Goze.—Bill moderate, straight ; the tip slightly deflected and emar- 
ginated. Nostrils basal, supernal and round. Wings moderate; the first 
quill very short, the second longer than the fifth, the third the longest. Tail 
rounded. Tarsus long and slender, covered in front by a single scale and 
four inferior scutellee ; toes long ; claws rather short (p. 39). 
Subfamily SyLVIINA. 
Young on leaving the nest differ very slightly in colour from the adults. 
SYLVIA, Scofold.—Bill rather stout, short, not very broad at the base ; upper 
mandible decurved from the middle towards the point, which is slightly 
emarginated ; nostrils basal, lateral, oval and exposed; gape furnished with 
bristles. Wings moderate ; the first quill very short. Tail of twelve feathers, 
generally rounded. Tarsus scaled in front and longer than the middle toe ; 
toes and claws short (p. 41). 
REGULUS, Cuvéer.—Bill slender, straight, the edges dilated at the base, com- 
pressed towards the point, which is notched. WNostrils basal, supernal and 
oval, covered by a single bristly feather directed forwards ; the internasal 
ridge stout; the gape beset with hairs. Wings rather long; the first quill 
nearly half the length of the second, the fourth the longest. Tail of twelve 
pointed feathers, slightly forked. Tarsus slender and rather long, covered 
in front by a single scale ; toes moderate, the outer and middle toes joined at 
their base ; claws much curved (p. 57). 
Puy.uioscopus, Boze.—Bill slender, rather short, upper mandible decurved from 
the middle and compressed towards the slightly notched tip ; nostrils basal, 
lateral, oblong and partly operculate, the membrane clothed with small 
bristle-tipped feathers, the internasal ridge very thin ; gape beset with hairs, 
Wings rather long; the first quill comparatively large, the third or fourth 
the longest. Tail slightly forked. Tarsus scaled in front and rather long, as 
are also the toes; claws curved (p. 61). 
Aé&pon, Boze.—Bill long and strong, with the culmen curved and much com- 
pressed at the tip, hardly notched; nostrils supernal, small and oval ; the 
