152 



NORTHERN ZOOLOGY. 



Typical group. 



Sub-tyj)ical group.} 



Aberrant group. 



MERULID.E. 



Bill gradually arched, slightly notched ; 

 wings adapted for perfect flight; tarsi 

 moderate ; toes disunited. 



Bill abruptly bent, strongly notched ; wings 

 short, feeble ; tarsi moderate ; toes fre- 

 quently united at the base. 



Bill short, slightly notched or entire; wings 

 rounded ; tarsi short, or not adapted for 

 walking. 



Me 



RULING. 



MYOTHERIN-ffi. 



Brachypodin^:. 



Oriolin^e. 



Crateropodin^g. 



Our information on the natural economy of these groups is very defective, nor 

 will the present state of knowledge admit of our illustrating the whole of their 

 internal relations. We shall, therefore, briefly notice the leading peculiarities and 

 minor divisions, without dwelling, more than the facts adduced may appear to 

 justify, upon the natural series of the genera. We commence with the 



BRACHYPODINjE, 



or Short-legged Thrushes, as being that sub-family to which the Laniadce, by 

 means of Trichophorus, are united. The peculiarities of these birds engaged our 

 attention some years ago, and a more intimate acquaintance with the group has 

 confirmed, to the fullest extent, the opinions we then held on their natural affini- 

 ties. So closely are the genera Trichophorus and Brachypus united, that even in 

 their typical examples they can only be distinguished by very accurate observers. 

 This affinity, moreover, is confirmed in a very singular way. The intelligent orni- 

 thologist who, with much judgment, first characterized the genus Trichophorus, 

 observes that toutes sont des cotes occidentales d'Afrique; and subsequent writers, 

 adopting this belief, have never thought of examining into its correctness. The 

 fact, however, appears to be, that typical examples of this genus occur in the 

 Indian Isles, and have been described as Turdi by some authors, and by M. 

 Temminck are comprised under his artificial genus Turdo'ides. Two Trichophori, 

 one from Sumatra, the other (as labelled) from Java, are now before us ; but to 

 identify them with any of the described species of the Linnean genus Turdus has 



