MYIOTHERIN-/E. 
95 
liphagus wide at the commencement, rapidly contracting, 
j land then of moderate width ; stomach roundish or broadly 
I ] elliptical, moderately compressed, muscular, with the late- 
ral muscles of moderate size, the epithelium thin, dense, 
longitudinally rugous ; intestine short, rather wide ; coeca 
minute ; rectum very short, with an oblong or pyriform 
dilatation. Trachea considerably flattened, slightly taper- 
jing ; the inferior larynx with four pairs of muscles, which 
are generally blended into a knob-like mass on each side. 
Eyes of moderate size. Nostrils very small, elliptical or 
roundish, in the anterior part of the broad nasal mem- 
brane, which is feathered. External aperture of ear very 
i large, elliptical. Legs very small ; tarsus very short, 
slender, moderately compressed, with seven, often very 
broad, anterior scutella ; toes small, much compressed ; 
I the first of moderate length, not much shorter than the 
third, the second and fourth equal, the third and fourth 
united at the base, all scutellate ; claws long, slender, 
j arched, compressed, laterally grooved, acute. Plumage 
I generally soft and blended. About six strong bristles on 
each side at the base of the upper mandible, and several 
I smaller on the nasal membrane; wings of moderate length, 
I broad, rounded ; tail of twelve feathers, the wings and 
tail very much in form. 
The peculiar form of the bill, with the strong bristles 
at its base, and the small size of the feet, afford the most 
prominent characters of this family. The species of which 
it is composed reside in woods and thickets, among the 
I twigs and foliage of which they search for their insect 
I food, seldom alighting on the ground. Very frequently 
they take a station on a twig, wail, or stone, from whence 
they sally forth after passing insects. The larger species 
also prey upon smaller birds, and in their habits resemble 
the Shrikes, while the smaller are allied to the Sylviinse 
and Motacillinse. They are numerous in the warmer 
regions of both continents, and those which breed in the 
