Genus — P ETROICA. 
Petroica Swainson, Zool. Ulus., 2nd Ser., Vol. 
I., pi. 36 (1829). Type (by monotypy) : Muscicapa multicolor Gmelin. 
Also spelt — 
Petroeca Cabanis, Mus. Heine, Vol. I., p. 11 (after Oct. 23rd), 1851. 
Peioeca Broadbent, Proc. Roy. Soc. Queensland, Vol. III., p. 28, 1887. 
Small Muscicapine birds with long bills, long wings, medium tails and medium 
feet. In this connection the adjectives used are comparative, that is, the 
bill is long compared with the type of Muscicapa , not as to the size of the bird, 
and so on. 
The bill is long, the tip decurved very slightly, the culmen semi-keeled, 
the lower mandible flattened ; narrow with the sides slightly curved. The 
nostrils as slits at base, semi-operculate, but open. The rictal bristles present 
are weak and not prominent. 
The wing is comparatively long, the fourth and fifth primaries subequal 
and longest, little exceeding the third and sixth, of which the former is the 
longer ; the second is equalled by the seventh, while the first is about half the 
length of the second. 
The tail is fairly long, composed of twelve feathers, of even length. 
The legs are thin, the tarsal covering complete ; the feet are small, the 
hind-toe longer than the middle toe. 
Judging from superficial features, this species shows very little of interest 
and seems a typical Flycatcher of the “ Siphia ” series, and would seem well 
placed next to that, the differences being very slight. Yet from a criticism 
of the osteology it was found to show such aberrant features as to receive 
the name “ Struthious Warbler,” to display the fact that it showed internal 
features accredited to the Warblers but of a generalised type. From such 
a conclusion it is obvious that much more value must be allowed to minute 
superficial features than has hitherto been accepted, as osteological research 
may reveal more differences, even unexpected ones, still. 
Under the genus name Petroica were included the seven species here allotted 
to seven genera, and it is noteworthy that Gould recognised four genera for 
the same few species. Their distribution is peculiar, and though some of them 
reach Northern Australia none reach New Guinea, though one group passing 
79 
