160 NORTHERN ZOOLOGY. 



and natural, that no one will feel inclined to dispute the affinity. In addition to 

 the subgenera formerly alluded to, as comprised under the general characters 

 assigned by Illiger to the Ant Thrushes, we feel no hesitation in adding Br achy - 

 pterix, Horsf., forming part of the Sylviadce of Mr. Vigors, but which, in truth, 

 is, to all appearance, the oriental representative of our sub-genus Drymophila *. 

 The surprising number and variety of these birds in the tropical regions of 

 America, will render the discovery of their circular affinities, among themselves, 

 by no means difficult to future ornithologists ; but, at present, we are neither 

 acquainted with the true typical structure, nor with that by which Nature effects 

 a union between Myothera and Pitta, a group which we place, without hesitation, 

 in immediate conjunction with the American Ant Thrushes. The shrike-like bill 

 of these latter birds, abruptly hooked, and often nearly toothed, is now exchanged 

 for that form which belongs to the true Thrushes ; this member being com- 

 pressed, gradually curved nearly from the base, without either a sudden deflection 

 at the end, or a notch, sufficiently deep, to produce a prominent tooth-shaped 

 angle on the upper mandible. The typical species are well known, as being some 

 of the most beautiful birds of India ; but there are others, recently arranged with 

 little judgment or discrimination, in the same genus with Ptilonorhynchus of Kuhl, 

 (under the intolerable name of Kitta), which appear to us so intimately connected 

 with this group, as scarcely to merit a sub-generic distinction. The characters of the 

 sub-genus Grallaria, Vieil., are built upon much better distinctions : in this South 

 American bird we have the representation of the oriental Pitta? in the New 

 World : and another step is made towards the true Thrushes, by the plumage 

 assuming their brown and spotted colouring. Intervening between these, however, 

 we may place the sub-genus Chamwza, Vig., having the scutellation of the tarsi of 

 Pitta, with the spotted plumage of Grallaria; the lateral scales of this last being 

 entire, like those of the Thrushes. 



There remains another form, belonging to Oriental India, which seems of pri- 



* Much confusion has lately been introduced in the application of this name (originally used by us to designate one 

 of the minor groups of this genus), for which we are obliged to censure the authors of the Planches Colorices. Indeed, 

 it is really surprising to witness the little information which these gentlemen appear to possess on the state of orni- 

 thological science in England, or with the great accession of new species which crowd the pages of our scientific publi- 

 cations. Unacquainted even with the contents of the later volumes of the Linnsean Society's Transactions, these 

 authors have recently affixed the generic name of Drymophila to the group of Flycatchers, there previously denominated 

 Monarcha; while they seem perfectly unconscious that the former name (Drymophila) had already been employed, nearly 

 six years ago, to designate one of the groups of American Ant Thrushes. Numerous other instances, particularly 

 of Mexican birds, familiar to our cabinets by names and descriptions of several years standing, but which are now 

 publishing by these gentlemen as new discoveries, attest the little acquaintance they have yet made with our scientific 

 works, and strikingly illustrates the inextricable confusion which now reigns throughout every part of ornithological 

 nomenclature. — Sw. 



