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84 ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF BIRDS. 
of each other, not merely in theory, but actually sc 
-when the circles of affinity, wherein these birds ar 
placed, come to be compared with each other. j 
(96.) Rhipidura is the third of the aberrant divi- 
sions: like the last, it seems peculiar to the Australian 
range ; and is distinguished at once from all the pre- 
ceding, by its very long legs and its large fan-shaped tail. 
The typical species, at least, are thus distinguished ; but 
some doubt hangs over the limits of the group, chiefly 
from our ignorance of the manners of several birds, 
which are supposed to come within its range: in our 
systematic arrangement we have specified the typical 
characters, and must leave other points for the present 
undetermined. 
(97.) The genus Muscicapa, the most numerous 
assemblage in the whole family, obviously succeeds to 
the fantailed flycatchers. In our introductory remarks, 
we have more especially adverted to these birds, and 
this saves us the necessity of recapitulating their typical 
characters. The whole are natives of the Old World ; 
and they present so much diversity in the different forms 
of their wings, bill, and feet, that we have ventured to 
designate the five leading forms: these will be found 
in our systematic arrangement, under the names of 
Muscipeta, Myiagra, Muscicapa, Hyliota, and Seicer- 
cus. The most striking individuals belong to the first of 
these subgenera: they are distinguished by their long pen- 
dant tails, and beautifully varied plumage ; while nearly 
all the species are confined to the tropics of Africa and 
India. Myiagra is a more homely coloured group, - 
inhabiting the same countries, but extending also to 
Australia: to this succeeds the European form, conspi- 
cuous by its lengthened wings. Hyliota, as having the 
longest bill in this genus, seems to be the tenuirostral 
type; while Seicercus, from its fan-shaped tail, crested 
head, and lengthened feet, equally indicates the rasorial 
form. The whole are distinguished from the todies 
by the shortness of their bill and legs, and the oor 
Pa elongation of their wings. 
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