LUSCININ.E. 



1. L. major Briss. — Sylvia philomela Beohst. ; Motacilla aedon j 2. L. philomela Pr. Bonap. PI. enl. 615. f. 2. — Motacilla lusci- 

 Pall. Gould, B. of Eur. pi. 117. I nia Linn. Gould, B. of Eur. pi. 116. 



Aedon Boie. * 



Bill moderate and straight, with the culmen curved, and much compressed to the tip, which is entire ; 

 the gonys long, and slightly ascending ; the gape not furnished with bristles ; the nostrils basal, pierced 

 in a short broad groove, with the opening exposed and oval. Wings moderate, with the first quill 

 short, and the second nearly as long as the third and fourth, which are equal and longest. Tail 

 lengthened and rounded. Tarsi long, and covered in front with broad scales. Toes short, with the 

 inner toe shorter than the outer one ; the latter is united at its base ; claws small, compressed, and 

 curved. 



It is in the southern parts of Europe and on the continent of Africa that the species of this genus are found. They 

 are migratory, and are always observed perched on the trees or bushes, searching for insects, which constitute their chief 

 subsistence. They have a peculiar habit of jerking their wings and tail, the latter is also spread out to its fullest 

 extent. 



1. A. galactodes (Temm.) Boie, PL col. f. 1. — Turdus amndina- 

 ceus var. Lath.; T. mbiginosus Meyer, Gould, B. of Eur. pi. 112. 



2. A.familiaris (Menetr.) Cat. Reis. p. 32. 



3. A. ? leucophrys (Vieill.) Levaill. Ois. d'Afr. t. 118. — Turdus 

 pipiens Stepk. 



4. A. pectoralis (A. Smith), Rep. Exped. App. p. 46., 111. Zool. 

 S. Afr. pi. 49. 



5. A. pcena (A. Smith), Rep. Exped. App. p. 56. ; 111. Zool. 

 S. Afr. pi. 50. 



Sylvia Lath, f 



Bill more or less long, rather strong, and straight, with the culmen gradually curved, and the sides 

 compressed to the tip, which is scarcely emarginated ; the gonys long and ascending ; the gape 

 furnished with a few short weak bristles ; the nostrils basal, and placed in a short broad groove, with 

 the opening exposed and sublunate. Wings moderate, with the first quill very short, and the second 

 shorter than the third, or third and fourth, which are the longest. Tail moderate, broad, and rounded 

 on the sides. Tarsi rather shorter than, or as long as, the middle toe, and rather strong, and covered 

 in front with broad scales. Toes moderate, with the inner toe shorter than the outer one ; the latter 

 united at its base ; the hind toe long, and armed with a long strong claw ; the claws of the fore toes 

 curved, compressed, and acute. 



The species that compose this genus are peculiar to the Old World, performing migrations at certain seasons of the 

 year. They are usually seen in woods and thickets, in which they hide themselves, and through which they progress with 

 o-reat swiftness when alarmed. It is among the leaves and branches that they actively search for insects ; they also feed 



* Established by M. Boie in 1826. Erythropygia of Dr. Smith (1835) and Agrobates of Mr. Swainson (1837) are synonymous. 



\ Established by Latham in 1790 ; with which Thamnodus of Dr. Kaup (1829), Staparola and Pyrophthalma of the Prince of Canino 

 (1841) are coequal. It embraces Melisopliilus of Leach (18)6) ; Erythroleuca of Dr. Kaup (1829) ; Monachus (1829); also Epilais of 

 Dr. Kaup (1829), with which Adornis of G. R. Gray (1841) is synonymous ; Adophoneus of Dr. Kaup (1829), with which Nisoria of 

 the Prince of Canino (1838) is coequal; Phyllopneuste of Meyer and Wolf (1815), with which Asilus of Bechstein (1802) and 

 Hippolais of M. Brehm (1828) are coequal ; Asilus of Mcehring (1752), with which Phylhscopus of M. Boie (1826) and Sibilatrix of 

 Dr. Kaup are synonymous. It probably embraces Chloropeta of Dr. A. Smith (1847), and Neornis of Mr. Hodgson (1844). 



