GUBERNETES. 
91 
and the claws, although sharp, very slightly cur- 
ved ; this structure of foot, in short, is exactly what 
we find in all the water-chats, but Gubemetes is the 
only type which still retains a small row of those 
minute lateral scales on the tarsi, which are so con- 
stant in all the groups w T e have yet mentioned ; the 
stiff rictal bristles of the insectivorous birds are 
now fully developed, and we have obviously quitted 
all those groups which feed in some degree upon 
fruits. Azara is the only writer who says any 
thing of the habits of this remarkable bird, which 
we shall call the Swallow Black-cap*. During flight, 
it seems to open and close its forked tail ; it fre- 
quents humid situations, associated in small flocks, 
and seeks upon the ground for worms and insects. 
Hence we see the use of its possessing strong feet 
and somewhat straight claws ; thus combining the 
leading characters of the Psariancs and the Fluvi- 
colince. 
* No names in out vernacular nomenclature can be more 
valuable or expressive than those which express both the 
analogy and affinity of the object. It is evident that Gubtr- 
netes has analogy to the Hirundinidw or Swallows, while it 
nevertheless truly belongs to the PsariancB or Black-caps. 
