GREY PIHA. 
73 
In respect to its affinity with the red-throated 
piha, it has already been observed, that although 
the bill is shaped like that of several of the tyrants, 
and is even as much bristled at its base, yet that the 
commissure, as in Querula, is arched, and not, as in 
the Tyrannulce, perfectly straight ; the distinction is 
of much importance, for it indicates that the bird 
has nothing of the shrike-like habits or structure of 
the true tyrants, and that it probably feeds as much 
upon fruits as upon insects. It is this peculiarity 
also which leads me to the belief that Tyrannus 
calcarcUus is merely a representative of our present 
bird, although its colours are almost precisely the 
same. The second affinity it shows to Querula is 
in its feet and claws ; the first are remarkably feeble, 
and covered with minute posterior tarsal scales 
while the claws are broad, and not gradually taper 
ing to an acute point, like those of the tyrants. 
The plumage is sufficiently described in the spe- 
cific character ; the inner wing-covers and the vent 
are nearly white, and the tail is perfectly even. Al- 
though a common bird in South America, it has 
been so confounded with others by the old writers, 
that I can give no other synonyme with safety than 
that of Le Vaillant. 
Total length, 9i inches ; bill, from the gape, 
front, t 7 3 ; wings, 4^ ; tail beyond, 2^ ; base, 4 T 7 5 
tarsus, f. 
"We are now brought to the Psarince or black- 
caps, represented by the genus 
