E R Y T H ACIN M . 
Ruticilla Brehm* 
Bill moderate, rather depressed, broad at the gape, furnished with short bristles, and gradually 
compressed on the sides ; the culmen straight, but gradually bent downwards at the tip, which lS 
emarginated ; the lateral margins straight and indexed ; the gonys long and slightly advancing upwards 
to the tip ; the nostrils basal, lateral, and sunk in a membranous groove, with the opening rathei 
rounded. Wings lengthened, reaching two thirds the length of the tail, and rounded, with the fourth 
and fifth quills equal and longest. Tail long, broad, and emarginated. Tarsi much longer than the 
middle toe, and covered in front with a lengthened scale. Toes short and slender, with the lateral ones 
rather short and equal ; the hind toe long and strong ; the claws moderate, compressed, and acute. 
These migratory birds are found in various parts of the Old World. They are active, restless, and solitary in 
habits, frequenting wooded places, gardens, old walls, and buildings. They generally seek their food, which consists ° 
insects and berries, on the ground ; and while thus engaged, and especially after feeding, they occasionally spread then 
tail, and jerk it up and down. The nest is built in crevices of old walls, and in holes of decayed trees. It is f orir>e 
of moss, lined internally with hair and feathers. The female usually lays from six to eight eggs. 
1. R. phcenicurus (Linn.) PI. enl. 351. f. 1, 2 Phcenicura ru- 
ticilla Swams. Gould, B. of Eur. pi. 95. 
2. R. tithys (Scop.) Edwards’s Birds, pi. 29- — Motacilla ery- 
thacus Linn. Gould, B. of Eur. pi. 96 - ; M. gibraltariensis Gmel. 
3. R. aurorea (Pall.) Zoogr. i. 477- — Motacilla erythrogastra 
Giildenst. Kittl. Kupf. Vog. t. 26. f. 1. 
4. R. atrata (Gmel.) Jard. & Selby, 111. of Orn. pi, 86. f. 3. 
5. R. leucocephala (Vigors), Proc. Z. S. 1831. p. 35., Gould, 
Cent, of B. pi. 26. f. 2. 
6. R. caruleocephala (Vigors), Proc. Z. S. 1831. p. 35., Gould, 
Cent, of B. pi. 25. f. 2. 
7. R . fuliginom (Vigors), Pioc. Z. S. 1831. p. 35. — Phcenicura 
plumbea Gould. 
8. R. Reevesii (Gray), Zool. Misc. p. 1. 
Gow‘ 
9- R. albifrons (Brandt.). 
10. R .frontalis (Vigors), Proc. Z. S. 1831. p. 17&> 
Cent, of B. pi. 26. f. 1 . 
11. R. simplex Less. Rev. Zool. 1840. p. 2 65. 
12. R. melanura Less. Rev. Zool. 1842. p.265. 
1 3. R. leucoptera Blyth, Journ. As. Soc. Beng. 1 843. p 
14. R. cyana (Hodgs.) Journ. As. Soc. B. 1337- P- U)2. 
nicura superciliaris Jerd. ; Larvivora brunnea IJodgs . ; 
Larvivora Hodgs. (1837). 
15. R . cruralis (Bl.) Journ. As. Soc. B. 1843. p. 9^3. 
vora homocliroa Hodgs. MS. p 
16. R. ? . — Cinclidium frontale Bl. Journ. As- 
1842. 181., 1843. 954. 
, 9 &- 
pb* 6 ' 
TyP e ° f 
_ La tvi ' 
Nemura Hodgs. f 
Bill moderate, broad at the base, and furnished with short bristles ; the sides gradually cornp reSse 
’ b J 1 t ]je 
the culmen curved to the tip, which is emarginated ; the lateral margins straight and indexed, an c 
gonys long and advancing upwards ; the gape furnished with short bristles ; the nostrils basal, l* 1 * 6 _ 
J d ifil” 
and sunk in a small groove, with the opening small and rounded. Wings rather long, rouncie , 
the fourth and fifth quills nearly equal and longest. Tail long and rounded, with the ends 
feathers mucronate. Tarsi slender, much longer than the middle toe, and covered in front with 
* This genus was originally established in 1 826 by M. Boie, under the name of Ficedula. This word having been previously 
US' 
becomes necessary to adopt Ruticilla of M. Brehm (1828). It is equal with Phcenicura (1831) of Mr. Swainson. It embraces 
(1837) of Mr. Hodgson, and probably Cinclidium of Mr. Blyth (1842). 
f Established by Mr. Hodgson in 1845 ( Proc . Z. S. 1845). It embraces Tarsiger of the same author. 
LarW 
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ivot* 
