SYLVIAD®. UNION OF THE ABERRANT CROUP. 67 
Sylviadm through all the subfamilies^ and many of the 
inferior groups, we shall 
endeavour to explain in 
what manner the three 
t which are aberrant become 
united. This union is for- 
tunately so perfect, that we 
can dismiss the subject in a 
few words. The Australian 
genus Petro'ica, as we haveal 
ready shown in another place* 
is the southern representative of our robin ; the legs 
are, nevertheless, weaker, and the bill so much depressed, 
that all ornithologists have classed these birds as fly- 
catchers : all, therefore, that is necessary, to connect the 
robins with the fantailed flycatchers of America (^Seto- 
phaga Sw.), is a bird which still preserves the general 
form of Fetrcfica, but which has the smaller and weaker 
feet of Setophaga : now, such are the true characteristics 
of the Australian Petroica Latluimi. So much, indeed, 
floes it depart from its own type, and touch on the 
American, that, but from the most minute examination, 
joined to a knowledge of its country, we should be quite 
M a loss to which group it belonged : this affinity is even 
oiarked in the most conspicuous manner by the colours 
pf the two groups. The orange-red of the robin changes 
10 the Petro'ica multicolor to a full crimson, but the 
Iplly is still white. In P. Latluimi, the whole body is 
fich pink, and the white frontal spot of the former 
species is very small. In Setophaga miniata Sw., this 
spot totally disappears, but the whole body is still 
tight red ; and this colour is still continued to Seto- 
l^aga picta Sw. t : thus not the slightest interval occurs 
etween the types of both groups, although the one be- 
oogs to the SaxicoUnce, the other to the Parianee. 
(78.) Let us now look to the analogies between 
e five subdivisions of the great family of warblers, 
• Zool. 111. 2d series. f ZooL III. ii. pL 1. 
