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BOMBYCILLA. 
to has been placed in, and is typical of a sub- 
family the Bombycillmte , or, as Mr Swainson terms 
them, the “ Swallow Chatterers,” from their 
lengthened wing, very wide gape, and imperfect 
or weak feet. The genus Bombycilla consists of 
only three known species, one exclusively inha- 
biting North America, another found hitherto 
only in Japan, while the third, found in Northern 
Asia and Europe, has been also lately discovered 
in North America. They possess a powerful 
flight, are arboreal in their habits, and feed on 
fruits or berries. 
Bombycilla, Brisson. — Generic character . — 
Bill short, strong, dilated at the base, the 
gape very wide; nostrils oval, covered at 
the base with feathers ; wings long, first 
quill longest, afterwards regularly graduat- 
ing ; tarsi short, plumed slightly below the 
knees ; lateral toes equal ; tail short, and 
nearly even. 
Note. — Secondary quills and tail have their 
tips sometimes ornamented by a coloured 
flattening of the shaft. The general plumage 
is soft and silky. 
