130 NORTHERN ZOOLOGY. 



to typify the plain-coloured, lineated Thamnophilce, and the grey Ocypteri; 

 while the latter are decked in the lively colours of the African Malaconoti and of 

 the genus Analcipus. Close to Phoenicornis may be placed Ptiliogonys, as opening 

 a passage to the next division, or as comprised within its limits, Oxynotus is 

 another and a very peculiar type ; to which we may liken Sp lice other es, from the 

 structure of the bill, the wings, and the tarsi. But the want of the puffy, spinous 

 tail feathers in this latter bird removes it, we think, from this family. M. Cuvier 

 has arranged the larger species of Ceblepyrini under the generic name of Grau- 

 calis ; but we have failed in discovering their supposed peculiarities. It is easy 

 to perceive that, by the recent discovery of the Mexican genus Ptiliogonys (Sw.), 

 the transition from the Caterpillar-catchers to the sub-family 



TYRANNIN^ 



is rendered apparent, particularly when we compare Ptiliogonys ciiiereus* , Sw., 

 with the Muscicapa albicapilla of Vieillot, and some other obscurely-known species, 

 wherein the head is crested, the nostrils nearly round, the rictus but slightly 

 bearded, and the bill short, triangular, and rather compressed on the sides. 



We now fairly enter among the American Fly-catchers, of which the whole of 

 this sub-family is entirely and exclusively composed. We have already done 

 something towards the right understanding of the more typical species f ; but, as 

 the entire group requires much elucidation, we shall now enumerate its distin- 

 guishing characters, as opposed to the whole of the Fly-catchers belonging to the 

 Old World. The feet of the Tyranninw, however diversified the species may be 

 in size or in other points of structure, are always much stronger than those of the 

 genuine Muscicapw, not as regards the length of the tarsi, for in both this part is 

 invariably short, but in respect to the length and thickness of the toes and claws ; 

 the latter, in particular, are large, gracile, and very acute, much resembling those 

 of the true Shrikes. In the typical species (as T. intrepidus, crassirostris, cru- 

 delis, &c), the hind and the middle claw are nearly equal ; but in the lesser 

 species, or those most liable to be confounded with the Old World Muscicapae, 

 (as Tyrannula Saya, nunciola, &c.,) the hind claw is by much the largest. A 

 further distinction is afforded between these groups by the scutellation of the tarsi. 

 The scales of the TyrannincE, as if intended to give greater strength and support 

 to the muscles of the feet, wrap completely round the tarsi, and only meet at the 



* Zoological Illustrations, Second Series, pi. 62, t Journal of the Royal Institution. 



