COSMAEROPS. 
a factor neglected by Dresser and Sharpe, is quite peculiar. The general 
colora-tion evident in Merops apiaster, M. ornatus and M. leschenaultii 
shows that the tail has evolved its attenuation independent of colour 
change. The last named is the type of Urica Bonaparte Gonsp. Vol 
Aniso, 1854, p. 8, wherein he placed M. ornaius. This name is missing 
from the synonymy in the Catalogue of the Birds in the British Museumy 
Vol. XVII., p. 44, 1892. It has priority over Cosmaerops, and until the 
birds are anatomically examined it is imperative to admit MeropSy 
Cosmaerops and Urica as of equal value, and as of generic rank. Other- 
wise no rearrangement could be accepted, as the last two are as closely 
related as the first two, judging from superficial characters. Cabanis and 
Heine, when they proposed Cosmaerops also added Melittias for the 
type of Urica, and naming this first it has also priority over Cosmaerops. 
I must conclude that Urica and Cosmaerops appear to have evolved 
independently from the Meropoid branch, and that colour scheme is 
certainlj'’ much older than tail structure in this group. 
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