GEOXJND THRUSHES 305 



in the year. (These characters remain to be verified in the case 

 of our species of Merula.) 



Genus Merula. Ouzels. 

 This genus, of which the British Blackbird and Ring Ouzel 

 are types, is absent from North America and Africa, but widely 

 spread over tropical America, Europe and Asia. Peculiar 

 species occupy singly certain of the islands of the Pacific, as 

 Formosa, Mare and Lifu of the Loyalty group, Samoa, 

 Eromanga, Viti Levu, Kandavu and Taviuni of Fiji, New Cale- 

 donia, with one each in Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island 

 off the Australian Coast. 



The Norfolk Island Ouzel, M. fuliginosa. — Head and adjoining parts pale 

 brownisli-grey; rest of upper surface uniform dull black; under 

 surface dark brown. Wing 4 to 4.5 inches. Sexes nearly alike. 



The Lord Howe Ouzel, M. vinotincta. — Head and adjacent parts uniform 

 russet; under surface dark vinous brown. Wing 3.85 to 4.2 inches. 

 Females slightly paler. 



Both species are without bars or streaks in the plumage, and have 

 yellow bills, legs and feet; wings uniform underneath. 



Genus Oreocichla. Ground Thrushes. 



Feet and legs strong, pale yellowish. Upper surfaces some 

 shade of brown, the feathers with conspicuous lunar terminal 

 black bands, sometimes also with subterminal ochreous spots. 

 The underparts of our species white, buff on the breast, the 

 feathers with crescent-shaped black tips except on the centre 

 of the breast. The wing has a white pattern on the under 

 surface. 



These, the "Ground-Thrushes par excellence," and incapable 

 of long continued flight, must have had a long duration in time, 

 for there are several species spread over Africa, and over India, 

 Burmah and Indo-Malaj'^sia, while pioneers have reached Eastern 

 Siberia, one has crossed the Straits to Western North America, 

 and one has even penetrated to Mexico. The Australian immi- 

 grants are so much alike that Gould considered them all as 

 belonging to but one species. Isolation has, however, resulted in 



