SPECTACLE, OR WHITE-WINGED WATER-CHAT. 107 
the upper part brown ; in both sexes the legs are 
deep black. 
Total length, 6 inches ; hill, gape, T 8 5 ; -wings, 
3 T 6 5 ; tail beyond, 1; base, 2| ; tarsus, 1. 
We now enter upon the sub-family of the 
MUSCICAPINiE, 
OR 
GENUINE FLY-CATCHERS, 
by far the most extensive and consequently varied 
group of this family. It is composed of those broad 
hilled insectivorous little birds which dart upon 
their prey as it were from an ambush ; they fix 
their station on the end of a branch or a projecting 
spray, from whence they suddenly dart upon such 
flying insects as come within a certain range, seldom 
making any attempt to pursue them, or to repeat 
another swoop if the first has been unsuccessful ; 
sedentary habits, such as these, are not likely to call 
the feet of such birds into exercise, we consequently 
find that these members are always short and re- 
markably feeble in every part of their construction; 
the length of the tarsus, in fact, is very seldom more 
