200 DENTIROSTRES. 



In the first of these families the bill is broad, emarginated, 

 and depressed at the base, which is beset with projecting 

 bristles ; the legs are short and weak, the feet calculated 

 for perching. Their food consists of insects. Of the various 

 forms contained in this family, we only possess representa- 

 tives of a single group, the Muscicapa of authors, of which 

 the following are generic characters : — 



" Bill rather short, sub-triangular, depressed at the base, 

 strong, and compressed towards the tip, which is deflected, 

 and with both mandibles emarginated. Base of the bill 

 beset with long stiff bristles. Nostrils basal, oval, and 

 lateral, partly concealed by the feathers at the base of the 

 bill. Feet having the tarsus as long as, or rather longer 

 than the middle toe ; toes, three before and one behind, 

 the side ones of equal length, the outer one joined at its 

 base to the middle toe. Wings, having the first quill very 

 short, the second shorter than the third and fourth, which 

 are the longest in each wing."" — Selby. 



INSESSORES. 



DENTIROSTRES. MUSCICA PIDM , 



PLATE XL. 



SPOTTED FLY-CATCHER. 

 Muscicapa Grisola. (Linn.) 



Of the Muscicapidte two species only are at present 

 recognized as visiting Britain, the Spotted Fly-catcher and 

 the Pied. Some few other species of the same genus visit 



