Genus— NEOSERICORNIS. 
Neosericornis Mathews, Nov. Zool., Vol. 
XVIII., p. 353, Jan. 31, 1912. Type 
(by monotypy) ... ... ... ... Muscicapa lathami Stephens. 
When I prepared my “ Reference List ” I was following a genus-lnmping policy 
which proved unsatisfactory, and this was the first instance of revolt. I was 
so dubious of the association of these birds that I separated the present species 
with a new generic name although I did not then use it. With further knowledge 
I am surprised that it was ever included in the genus Sericornis as it differs 
so much from all the other species. The bird is larger and the head appears 
to be differently shaped even in the skins so that it probably belongs to another 
series altogether. Compared with Sericornis the bird is larger throughout, the 
bill is shorter and the coloration is more pronounced. In detail the bill is 
shorter than the head, less compressed than in Sericornis, practically no hook 
at tip : the nasal groove is nearly one half the length of the bill, the nostrils 
linear, the culmen ridge is little arched and the under mandible is comparatively 
strong : the half dozen rictal bristles are pronounced. 
The wing is rounded with the fourth, fifth and sixth primaries subequal 
and longest, the seventh very little less, and the third less than the seventh but 
longer than the eighth : the second much less than the tenth primary which is 
equalled by the secondaries : the first primary a little longer than half the 
second. 
The tail is long and square. 
The legs are long, the front of the tarsus booted but scutes can sometimes 
be obscurely traced : the hind part bilaminate : the feet are small, the hind-toe 
and claw as long as the middle toe and claw, the inner equal to the outer and 
with claw equal to the middle toe alone, all claws short and rounded. 
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