BH AC II YPTERYX MONTANA. 
which was not rendered apparent in the figure of Edwards, and confirms the views 
which were given of the character of the genus, although, as a species of Sylvia, 
it was not noticed. 
'Next to that of Brisson, the arrangement of Bechstein, as far as it regards the 
genus Sylvia, should he considered. He has established four sections, which he 
denominates families: viz, I. Curruca, Grasmuecken, comprising many of the 
Fauvettes-Currucfe of Bressiou. II. Asilus, comprising the Pouillot-Asilus of 
Brisson, the Hippolais, and several other species. III. Ficedula, Eigentliche 
Saenger, comprising several of Brisson's subdivisions, particularly Phsenicurus, 
Rubecula, and Trochilus ; and IV, Saxicola, Steimnaefzer, comprising Moteux — 
Vitiflora — of Brisson. M. Cuvier, in placing as his Grand-genre, Motacilla of 
Linnaeus, has, in his subgenera, followed in part the divisions of Bechstein. Saxi- 
cola, Ficedula, Curruca, and Accentor are cited agreeably to this naturalist; but 
Regulus, Troglodytes, Motacilla in a limited sense, comprising only the Laven- 
dieres and Hochequeues, are employed according to his own views. M. Temminck 
has divided the genus Sylvia of Latham into five sections : — Riverains, Sylvains, 
Muscivores, Roitelets, and Troglodytes, which however do not include Saxicola; 
this he introduces as a distinct genus. Here it must be apparent, that both Cuvier 
and Bechstein have placed Saxicola at the extremity of the subdivisions which they 
individually establish, affording thus an indication of its deviating from the more 
regular forms of the genus. Brachypteryx deviates still further than Saxicola from 
Motacilla or Sylvia, as respectively employed by Cuvier and Bechstein ; and a concise 
comparative view will shew the necessity of separating Brachypteryx and Saxicola, 
in a natural arrangement. As far as regards the form of the bill, the difference is 
not considerable : in Saxicola (Enanthe this organ is comparatively slender ; in Bra- 
chypteryx montana it is, upon the whole, larger in its vertical dimensions, more 
robust, and more strongly notched ; the convexity of the sides of the upper man- 
dible is also more apparent. The tarsi, which are proportionally of great length in 
Saxicola (Enanthe, are still longer, and considerably more slender in Brachypteryx 
montana. In the great narrowness of the toes and claws, both genera agree. But 
the chief distinguishing character of our bird, and that which is strictly peculiar, 
is the shortness and abrupt termination of the wings ; from this its name is properly 
derived. In Saxicola (Enanthe the wings are acute, and reach to the middle of the 
tail : the remiges increase abruptly to the third and fourth, which are longest. In 
Brachypteryx a very gradual elongation takes place to the fifth quill feather ; and 
the following, to the tenth, are very nearly of equal length. The wings are thus 
short and obtuse, scarcely extending beyond the abdomen, and only touching the 
