92 
MOTACILLIN^. SEIURUS. 
iind marked with broad triangular blackish-brown spots, becoming , 
fainter on the hind part of the breast and sides. 
Although this species closely resembles the last in its colours, and 
the proportions of the quills, it is yet so much inferior in size, and its 
bill, tarsi, and toes are so much shorter, that it cannot be considered 
otherwise than as distinct. 
Male 6, 9|. 
Columbia River. Accidental in the Middle Atlantic districts. Mi- 
gratory. 
Turdus nanus, Dwarf Thrush, Aud. Om. Biog. v. v. p. 201. 
FAMILY XIII. MOTACILLINiE. WAGTAILS. 
Bill of moderate length, straight, slender, a little broader 
than high at the base, compressed toward the end ; upper 
mandible with the dorsal line sloping, a little convex to- 
ward the end, the nostrils slight, the tip acute ; lower man- 
dible with the angle rather long and narrow, the dorsal line 
ascending and scarcely convex, the edges somewhat invo- 
lute, the tip acute. General form slender ; head ovato- 
oblong; neck short. Feet of ordinary length, slender ; toes 
very slender, the lateral equal, the outer adherent at the 
base, the hind toe rather large ; claws rather long, arched, 
compressed, acute, that of the hind toe generally very long. 
Plumage soft and blended. Bristles small. Wings long and 
pointed, one of the minor secondaries often much elonga ted 
and tapering. Tongue sagittate, slender, with the tip slit ; 
oesophagus uniform; stomach a very muscular gizzard, 
roundish, with large tendons, and thin rugous epithelium ; 
intestine of moderate length ; coeca very small. Trachea 
simple, with four pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles. 
This family is connected with the Turdinae by Seiurus, 
and with the Alandinae by Anthus, which are the only two 
American genera. 
GENUS 1. SEIURUS, Swains. WOOD-WAGTAILS. 
Bill rather short, straight, slightly broader than deep at 
