]00 
CRESTED-BLACK WATER-CHAT. 
which seem to combine the characters of the Tyrants 
and the Water-chats. 
In all points of general structure the bird before 
us agrees with Fluvicola, except in the feet and the 
tail. The former, although strong, have not the 
tarsus so much lengthened, and the inner toe is ob- 
viously shorter than the outer; this latter character, 
indeed, is seen in the Fluvicola nengeta ; hut the 
toes of this bird are much shorter, and seem adapted 
as much for perching as for walking : the tail is 
lengthened, and so much rounded as to appear fan- 
shaped, every feather being graduated ; and it is 
this circumstance, more than any other, which in- 
duces me to look upon Blechropus as that type 
which passes into the Rhipidurw or fantails. The 
whole plumage is black, glossed with bluish, ex- 
cepting the base of the inner webs of the primaries, 
which are pure white : the crest is very elegant, the 
feathers being long, narrow, and slightly recurved 
towards their tips ; bill and legs black. 
Total length 9 inches ; hill, gape, T 9 0 ; wings, 5 ; 
tail beyond, ; from the base, ; tarsus, ; 
middle toe and claw, 
It is evident that the bird last figured and de- 
scribed is very closely connected to the true water- 
chats, forming the genus 
