FLUVICOHN^. 
89 
fully illustrated in the volume before alluded to. We 
must now pass on to the three aberrant divisions of this 
family^ namely^ the FluvicoliiKBy the and the 
Querulirue. 
(102.) The FLUVieoLiNiB, or waterchats, with the 
exception of one genus (whose situation is still some- 
what doubtful), are entirely restricted to the warm 
latitudes of America, where they seem to represent the 
stonechats and the wagtails ot the Old World. They 
are strictly ambulating flycatchers, and constitute the 
rasorial division of this family. The legs arc conse- 
quently very long, and formed especially for walking t 
the toes are also long, quite divided to their base, 
and furnished with long and slightly curved claws. 
This structure enables these birds to run with great 
celerity ; and they are generally seen on the sides of 
streams and rivers, feeding upon flying insects which 
resort to such situations ; for they never hunt among 
trees, and rarely perch : such, at least, are the manners of 
the typical species ; but there are, of course, various mo- 
difications of habit corresponding to those, which will 
now he glanced at, in their structure. The first genus 
with which we begin the series, is that of Seisura *, 
differing only from lihipeduru by its more lengthened 
bill and feet. Both these divisions, as well as that of 
SeiciTcuSj have broad fan-shaped tails, which plainly 
indicates the type to which they belong, although the 
rank they respectively hold cannot, in our present state 
of knowledge, be clearly ascertained. Leaving this 
group, we reach that of JFliivicola, by means of certain 
black and glossy birds of Brazil, some of which have 
distinct crests : these latter conduct us to the typical 
Fluvicolee, having the legs unusually long, the bill 
depressed, the tail lengthened, and the plumage 
• I feel by no mean.s satis6ed that Seisttra is naturally separated from 
although, for the present, I have adopted the group as proposed 
by MM. Vigors and Horsfield. I have, nevertheless, some suspicion, 
that all the genera of the Fluvieolimt may prove to be natives of Tropical 
America, and that Seisura is only composed of those aberrant species oi 
iihipidura which pass into the Fluvicolinte. 
