170 NORTHERN ZOOLOGY. 



markable manner, to indicate the same analogies, we shall have frequent occasion to 

 point out. It may be unnecessary, perhaps, to observe, that all ornithologists have 

 overlooked this circumstance, did not the oversight illustrate the absolute neces- 

 sity of the most minute examination of species, described and re-described in 

 every system. The analogy of Cinclus to the Tenuirostres is sufficiently satisfac- 

 tory ; but that between Dasycephala and the Fissirostres is very striking ; both 

 have the bill entire, or nearly so, — both have the rictus strongly bristled, — both 

 have weak and syndactile feet : the aberrant forms among the Fissirostres have 

 short rounded wings : Dasi/cephala, in its own group, is likewise aberrant, and 

 possesses the same character. Finally, we may remark, that as the Tyrant 

 Shrikes also represent the Fissirostres, so were we induced, some years ago, to 

 place the American Dasycephalce with the Tyrannince, without suspecting their 

 relation to the Merididce. 



From the Insessorial tribes we now descend to the families of the Dentirostres, 

 one of which is composed of the birds whose analogies we are now tracing. 



Families. Genera. 



LaniaDjE . . Bill abruptly hooked or bent .... Myothera. 



Merulid^e . Bill gradually bent ..... Pitta. 



SylviadyE . . ? ...... Myophonus. 



AmpelidjE . Rictus smooth ; feed only upon soft substances . . Cinclus. 



Todid^; . . Bill lengthened, base depressed ; feet syndactile . . Dasycephala. 



That the haniadw are represented by Myothera must, at least, be admitted, since 

 their absolute affinity has been insisted upon ; while Pitta possesses the true thrush- 

 like bill of the typical Merulm. This is important, since it may establish the rank 

 of the Myotherince as the second or sub-typical group of the whole family. What 

 analogy exists between the Sylniada; and Myophonus we know not, at present ; 

 but as the former unquestionably represents the Scansores, so we feel no hesitation 

 in leaving a blank between these two points. The resemblance between Cinclus 

 and the Ampelidce cannot be supposed very strong ; yet that Dasycephala typifies 

 the Flycatchers and Todies there can be no doubt, seeing that some writers have 

 considered the relation as one of actual affinity. 



We shall now illustrate the circle of the Myotherinaz, by comparing it with a 

 group of its own rank or value. In our views of the analogies existing between 

 the Thrushes and the Shrikes, we have placed the Myotherinm directly opposite 

 to the Thamnophilinaz \ Let us therefore inquire how far this arrangement is borne 

 out by the contents of each. 



