156 NORTHERN ZOOLOGY. 



strength of the hind toe (conspicuous in this and the preceding sub-families) is 

 still preserved ; but the proportionate length of the middle toe is much increased. 

 We are thus justified in believing that the natural group, which would next follow 

 in affinity, must be one in which these members are greatly developed. A chasm, 

 however, at present exists in our passage to the 



crateropodin^e, 



or Long-legged Thrushes, which we shall neither disguise, nor attempt to smooth 

 over. Certain it is, that the birds we are now to dwell upon are placed by all 

 naturalists with the Thrushes ; that they exhibit peculiarities among themselves, 

 which distinctly separate them as one of the leading divisions of the family ; and 

 that however unprepared we may be to establish their direct union with the 

 Oriolinw, still that their other affinities do not admit of our referring them to any 

 other station. Many of the forms, indeed, have not escaped the nice discrimi- 

 nation of modern ornithologists ; but as the existence of the group itself has never 

 yet been even suspected, a few preliminary remarks on its typical distinctions 

 appear necessary. 



The birds composing this sub-family are at once distinguished by the great 

 strength of their legs ; these members being, in all their details, larger and more 

 muscular than those of all other Thrushes. The claws, although strong, are 

 slender, and but slightly curved ; the wings, in comparison to the body, are very 

 short, convex, and indicate great weakness of flight ; the tail is lengthened, gene- 

 rally broad, but sometimes narrow ; and the whole plumage peculiarly lax and 

 soft ; the feathers of the head are frequently intermixed with setaceous hairs, and 

 others, of a much more rigid texture, appear to defend the eyes ; the bill is variable 

 in its length, and even in its general form, but, upon the whole, it may be cha- 

 racterized as having a peculiar hard and horny appearance, the sides always very 

 much compressed, the culmen elevated and arched, and the tip either entire, or 

 but slightly notched ; the nostrils are protected by a hard convex membrane, 

 similar to the gallinaceous tribe. In regard to size, it comprehends some of the 

 smallest, and most of the largest, birds in the whole family, a circumstance of 

 very easy explanation, when the true nature of the group is understood. Their 

 habits and economy are singular. It appears that most of the typical species 

 principally live in the vicinity of water, among reeds ; their notes are particularly 

 loud, harsh, and grating; and in these retreats they keep up a perpetual monoto- 

 nous babbling : some, however, possess much more harmony ; but nearly all 



