

Order II. PASSERES. Tribe III. Dentirostres. 



The third Family, 



MUSCICAPIDjE, or Fly-catchers, 



have the Bill of various lengths, generally broad and depressed at the base, with the cuhnen more or less 

 curved, and the sides compressed to the tip, which is emarginated ; the gape usually furnished with 

 long and strong bristles : the Wings generally long : the Tail more or less long : the Tarsi mostly short 

 and weak : the Toes more or less long, and the outer toe generally united at the base. 



The first Subfamily, 



QUERULINiE, or Mourners, 



have the Bill rather long, slightly depressed, and broad at the base, with the cuhnen gradually curved 

 and the sides compressed to the tip, which is emarginated ; the gape furnished with short bristles ; the 

 Nostrils oval, and more or less covered by the frontal plumes : the Wings more or less long, with the 

 third and fourth quills the longest : the Tail long and broad : the Tarsi short : the Toes rather short, 

 the outer toe the longest, and united at the base ; the Claws long, much curved, and acute. 



Querula Vieill* 



Bill rather long, very broad at the base, and slightly depressed, with the culmen slightly curved, and 

 the sides compressed to the tip, which is emarginated ; the gonys long and ascending ; the nostrils basal, 

 oval, and covered by the projecting plumes and short bristles. Wings very long and rounded, with the 

 third and fourth quills equal and longest. Tail long, broad, and rounded. Tarsi as long as the middle toe, 

 and covered in front with transverse scales. Toes short ; the outer toe longer than the inner one, and slightly 

 united at its base ; the hind toe long and strong ; the claws long, compressed, much curved, and acute. 



These birds are found in the large forests of Tropical America, where they are usually observed in flocks, actively 

 engaged in seeking insects and fruits on the lofty trees. The nest is placed on the highest parts of the trees, and is 

 stated to be of large size. The female is said to deposit four eggs. 



1. Q. omenta (Bodd.) PL enl. 381. — Muscicapa rubricollis I 2. Q. militaris (Grael.) Levaill. Ois. Am. et Ind. t. 25, 26 



Gmel. Levaill. Ois. Am. et Ind. t. 47. 48. ; Muse, porphyrobroncha Querula rubra Vieill. ; Q. purpurea Less. 

 Shaw, Nat. Misc. pi. 60., Gal. des Ois. t. 115. 



* Vieillot established this name in 1816 (Analyse, Sjc. p. 3?.). 



