MYIADESTIN^. 



417 



(26,463.) Iris fire red. 



SiTBPAMiLT MYIADESTIN^. 



As explained on page 408, 1 am decidedly of opinion that, notwith- 

 standing a close resemblance in general appearance, Myiadestes 

 and Gichlopsis should be removed' from their usual association 

 with Ptilogonys, among Ampelidae, to or at least very near the 

 Turdidse, and form a subfamily with Platycichla (p. 32). The 

 latter genus is so closely related to Gichlopsis as almost to be the 

 same : Platycichla forming the link with Turdinee through Pla- 

 nestious, while such species as Myiadestes unicolor show the affini- 

 ties of Gichlopsis to Myiadestes. 



In the original description of Gichlopsis, Oabanis gives scutellate 

 tarsi as a character. In the specimen before me of C. leucogonys, 

 belonging to Dr. Sclater, one tarsus is entirely smooth, except the 

 one or two divisions at lower end (as usual in Turdidse), while the 

 other exhibits a faint indication of an additional division. Through 

 the somewhat transparent epidermis may be seen faint transverse 

 lines which may represent such division, but do not come to the 

 surface, and are precisely such as occur among other booted forms. 

 This tendency to occasional abnormal scutellation is a partial 

 monstrosity, or it may be a condition of immaturity, as I have 

 observed in Myiadestes townsendii. 



The genera of Myiadestinae may be characterized as follows, 

 although I cannot make the diagnoses very trenchant, and must 

 refer to the more elaborate descriptions and comparisons for com- 

 plete details : — 



Myiadestes. Occipital feathers full and soft. Plumage rather loose. Bill 

 weak, much depressed. Commissure nearly straight. Hind toe longer 

 than inner lateral. Toes deeply cleft. Closed wing externally with an 

 exposed light band across the base of the quills, and another nearer the 

 end, separated by a darker one. Tail somewhat graduated on the sides. 

 Gichlopsis. Occipital feathers short and close. Plumage more compact. 

 Wing without any external marking. Commissure nearly straight. Bill 

 27 June, 1866. 



