Genus— SYMPOSIACHRUS. 
Symposiachrus Bonaparte, Comptes Rendus 
Acad. Sci. Paris, Vol. XXXVIII., p. 
650, 1854. Type (by original designa- 
te 011 ) • Drymophila trivirgata Temminck. 
This genus includes a series of birds sometimes placed under Monarcha, 
sometimes in Piezorhynchus . The coloration is peculiar, and according to Mr. 
Campbell the eggs would refer it to the former place in preference to the latter. 
The bill is short and broad in comparison, the keel being present and the 
under mandible not much flattened. Six strong rictal bristles are present, in 
this item agreeing better with Monarcha, but from this genus the wing formula 
easily separates it. 
The wing has the first primary short and narrow, less than half the second 
which is equalled in length by the tenth. The fourth, fifth and sixth primaries 
are subequal and longest, the third a little shorter and longer than the seventh. 
The tail is long and a little rounded ; the feet small and normal. It will 
be noted that in this series, the M o?iarcha-Piezorhynchus one, the wing formula 
does not vary a great deal, the bill formation is more or less similar, the tail is 
generally long and the feet small ; the rictal bristles sometimes weak, sometimes 
strong. Consequently coloration is the only sure guide for grouping, and we 
can trace the variation in structure in colour groups. It is certain that internal 
variation will also be observed when these small birds are anatomically investi- 
gated, but their relationship may be ascertained when series have been studied. 
In the meanwhile colour externally is the best feature, and it is very possible 
will always remain the best. 
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