439 
mandible curved at tip, slightly notched, somewhat obtuse ; 
lower slightly recurved at the point : nostrils basal, lateral, 
concave, longitudinal, covered by a membrane : tongue carti- 
laginous, bifid at tip. Tarsi longer than the middle toe, 
smooth ; heel naked ; inner toe free, hardly longer than the 
hind one : lateral toes equal. Wings short, rounded ; spu- 
rious feather very short ; third and fourth primaries longest. 
Tail short. 
Female hardly differing in plumage from the male : young 
more tinged with reddish. Moult annually. Plumage water 
proof. 
Solitary. Frequent brooks and clear streams, diving, and 
walking on the gravelly bottom beneath the surface of the 
water, which appears to be their favourite element. Feed on 
aquatic insects, and small Crustacea. Build in the vicinity of 
rivulets, hiding the nest carefully. Flight rapid, straight, 
skimming the surface of the water. Voice feeble, shrill. 
Inhabit the north of both continents. Composed of but two 
intimately allied species, both probably Asiatic, though one 
is found in Europe, and the other in North America. Re- 
motely allied to the order Grallae by their habits, and naked 
heel ; but belonging decidedly to this Family (Canori). 
94. bis. Cinclus pallasii, Temm. Wholly dark cinereous. 
Cinclus Pallasii, Nob . Am. Orn. iii.pl. 1 6 - fig- !• 
Cinclus mexicanus , Swainson in Phil. Mag. new series. 
Inhabits near the Rocky Mountains, and in Mexico : also 
probably north-eastern Asia. 
Note 12 . Sylvia peregrina. I can hardly doubt of the iden- 
tity of this and S. bicolor of Vieill. pi. 90. bis. They differ only in 
one being described as blue, and the other as green, which colors 
sometimes interchange according to the incidence of light. If I 
am right, V’s name of course must be adopted. 
Note 13. Since this part of the Synopsis was printed, we have 
determined by comparison, the identity of Troglodytes cedon and 
