AFFINITY BETWEEN VIIIEO AND PACHYCEPHALA. 73 
(84.) In the second subfamily we placed three well- 
marked genera, — Fireo, Laniisoma, and Pachycephala, 
Sw. The genus Fireo is composed of little green co- 
loured warhler-likc birds, somewhat resembling fly- 
catchers, hut readily distinguished from that family by 
tlieir strong legs, and their cyhndrical bills, the base of 
which is not dilated : while the abrupt hook of the upper 
and the thickness of the lower resemble the structure seen 
in the genus Myothera. There are, nevertheless, two 
distinct sections of these birds, which may possibly con- 
stitute subgenera : in one, represented by Fireo oUvaceus, 
the red-eyed flycatcher of Wilson, the wings are pointed ; 
in the other, to which belongs the white-eyed warbler of 
tJie same author, they are rounded: these are connected 
by the F.flavifrons, which has the bill of this genus and 
tlie wings of the next: thus all doubt is removed on tlie 
affinity between Fireo and Pachycephala, two genera, 
however, which in other systems stand in different 
families. The tliick-headed chatterers (Pachycephala 
Sw.), are entirely confined to New Holland ; they re- 
semble small thrushes mote than any other birds, and 
as such have been described. Lewin informs us that 
several species have a loud, shrill, and pleasant note, 
which they sing about daybreak, when perched on the 
Upper branches of high forest trees ; and it is rather 
curious that similar situations and times are chosen by 
Ae typical chatterers of South America for uttering their 
uncouth cries. Of tlie economy of this group, in other 
i^espects, we unfortunately know nothing : they may live 
partially upon fruits; but the long and weak bristles sur- 
rounding the bill cleaily show that insects constitute a 
part of their nourishment. The third type which enters 
into this (Uvision, and which seems intermediate between 
the two last, is represented by a very rare Brazilian bird 
as big as a small tlirush. It has the elongated and 
abruptly hooked bill of Fireo, with the large puffy head 
and rounded wings of some of the Australian Pachy- 
’"■ephala. Differing, however, from the latter in several 
points of structure, as well as in geographic distribution. 
