MENURINjE. 



Rhamphocgenus VieilL* 



Bill very long, straight, and slender, with the culmen nearly straight, and the sides compressed to the 

 tip, which is slightly emarginated ; the gonys long and slightly ascending ; the nostrils lateral, and 

 placed in a membranous groove, with the opening linear, and partly covered by the membrane. 

 Wings short and rounded ; with the fifth, sixth, and seventh quills equal and rounded. Tail moderate, 

 graduated, and composed of narrow feathers. Tarsi much longer than the middle toe, very slender, and 

 covered in front with slightly divided scales. Toes moderate and slender ; the outer toe longer than the 

 inner one, and slightly united at its base ; the hind toe long and broadly padded beneath ; the claws 

 moderate, compressed, and curved. 



It is in the warmer parts of South America that the species are found. 



1. R. melanurus Vieill. Gal. des Ois. t. 128. — Troglodytes , 3. R. trinitatis Less. Rev. Zool. 1839. p. 42. 

 rectirostris Swains. Zool. 111. pi. 140. ; Tr. gladiator Pr. Max. 4. R. viridis Less. Tr. d'Orn. p. 377- 



2. R. rufiventris (Pr. Bonap.) Proc. Z. S. 1837, p. 119. 



Troglodytes Vieill. f 



Bill of various lengths, more or less straight and slender, with the culmen slightly curved, and the 

 sides compressed to the tip, which is entire ; the gonys long and slightly ascending ; the nostrils lateral 

 and placed in a groove, with the opening linear, and partly closed by a scale-like membrane. Wings 

 short and rounded ; with the fourth, fifth, and sixth quills equal and longest. Tail more or less short 

 and rounded. Tarsi as long as the middle toe, and covered in front with very broad scales. Toes more 

 or less long and slender ; with the inner toe shorter than the outer, the latter slightly united at its base ; 

 the hind toe long and slender ; the claws moderate, compressed, and curved. 



The species that constitute this genus are found in Europe, Asia, America, and the West Indies. They are generally 

 seen in pairs, in constant motion, examining the low thickets or coarse herbage in open plains or on the outskirts and open 

 places of woods and forests, and even in those in the neighbourhood of houses. Their flight is low and short, and they 

 are continually concealing themselves amongst the foliage of the low branches, or in holes and crevices, for several 

 minutes, and re-appearing in another quarter. Various kinds of insects, either in the perfect state or in that of the 

 larva, form their principal subsistence, which they procure while examining the bushes or holes, and some species 

 thereby render infinite service to gardens and cultivated places. Most of the species possess a sweet, lively, and power- 

 ful whistling song, which they utter with great animation, often repeating over and over again the same note. The nest 

 is placed against the branch of a tree, a bank, the wall of a house, or any place that offers warmth and security for their 



* Vieillot established this genus in 1819 (Nouv. Diet. d'Hist. Nat. xxix. p. 6.). Acontisies of the Prince of Canino is synonymous, 

 t It was in 1807 that Vieillot established this genus (Ois. de I'Amer. Sept. ii. p. 52.). Anorthura of Rennie and Thryothorm of 

 Vieillot (1816) are synonymous. 



