128 NORTHERN ZOOLOGY. 



EDOLlANyE. 



Characterized by a bill broad at the base, and compressed on the sides ; the rictus 

 being-, in most cases, defended by very stiff and lengthened bristles ; and the upper 

 mandible no longer provided with that distinct tooth which belongs only to the 

 two preceding divisions. The construction of the feet, likewise, deserves particular 

 attention, as being formed upon a peculiar model. In every species yet disco- 

 vered, these members are short, and the hind toe so much developed, as generally 

 to exceed the length of the tarsus, and to be little shorter than the middle toe. 

 This is very apparent in the genus Edolius, Cuv., and prevails, in a less degree, 

 through the kindred genera Ocypterus, Cuv., and Analcipus, Sw. The wings, in all 

 these groups, are much lengthened, particularly in Ocypterus, where they exhibit an 

 hirundiform structure, the first quill being longest, and the rest graduated. So 

 far, therefore, we see a conformation totally distinct from a Lanius or a Thamnophi- 

 lus ; but the subordinate types of this division are very imperfectly known ; nor 

 can we pronounce, with any certainty, which may be the typical groups. The 

 original Vanga of Buffon, together with some other very curious birds from 

 Madagascar, where that species is also found, lead us to suspect the existence of a 

 group closely related to Ocypterus, but whose typical characters we have not suf- 

 ficiently ascertained *. Of the three genera above named, Ocypterus and Anal- 

 cipus appear the most typical ; inasmuch as the bill, in certain species of Edolius, 

 assumes much of that depressed form belonging to the Ceblepyrince. The situa- 

 tion of the Australian Vanga destructor, and its allies, is still more uncertain ; 

 while Sparactus must now be forgotten : the specimen upon which this genus was 

 founded having turned out, according to M. Cuvier, to be the fabrication of a 

 dealer ! The immediate passage from this division to the 



CEBLEPYRIN^ 



is unknown, as we consider our former suspicions on this union being effected 

 by Muscicapa labrosa (Zool. 111., pi. 175) not well founded ; that bird being, 

 in all probability, a true Ceblepyris, Cuv. 



The birds of this group are too remarkable in themselves to be easily mistaken. 

 Retaining much of that general form of bill which belongs to Edolius, there 



* The Shrikes of Madagascar are so little known, as to be rarely, if ever, seen in museums ; and it unfortunately 

 happens that, notwithstanding the greatest care, those few now in the Royal Museum at Paris are too much injured 

 by time, to admit of accurate description. — Sw. 



