MERULIDJE.
L [ Bill gradually arched, slightly notched;
Typical group, j wings adapted for perfect flight; tarsi
1 moderate; toes disunited.
2‘ f Bill abruptly bent, strongly notched; wings
Sub-typical group.) short, feeble ; tarsi moderate; toes fre-
i quently united at the base.
3' f Bill short, slightly notched or entire; wings
Aberrant group, j rounded ; tarsi short, or not adapted for
1 walking.
| M ep. u l in v .
1 M YOTHERIN.E.
JB rach y po d in ^ .
O rIOLINjE.
C/RATEROPODINiE.
Our information on the natural economy of these gToups is very defective# nor
will the present state of knowledge admit of our illustrating the whole of their
internal relations. We shall, therefore, briefly notice the leading peculiarities and
minor divisions, without dwelling, more than the facts adduced may appear to
justify, upon the natural series of the genera. We commence with the
BRACHYPODIN7E,
or Short-legged Thrushes, as being that sub-family to which the Laniadce, by
means of Trichophorus, are united. The peculiarities of these birds engaged our
attention some years ago, and a more intimate1 acquaintance with the group has
confirmed, to the fullest extent, the opinions we then held on their natural affinities.
So closely are the genera Trichophorus and Brachy pus united, that even in
their typical examples they can only be distinguished by very accurate observers.
This affinity, moreover, is confirmed in a very singular way. The intelligent ornithologist
who, with much judgment, first characterized the genus Trichophorus, observes that toutes sont des cotes occidentals d’Afriyu-e^ and subsequent writers,
adopting this belief, have never thought of examining into its correctness. The
fact, however, appears to be, that typical examples of this genus occur in the
Indian Isles, and have been described as Turdi by some authors,, and by M.
Temminck are comprised under his artificial genus Turdo'ides. Two Trichophori, one from Sumatra, the other (as labelled) from Java, are now before us ; but to
identify them with any of the described species of the Linnean genus Turdus has
been a fruitless effort*. In the typical examples of B r achypu,s, which appear to
be such birds as Brachypus dispar, &c., the colours are very bright, while the
plumage of another imitates that of an Oriole; close to these we place the Pitta-
coloured birds, forming the sub-genus Chloropsis. The Iora of Dr. Horsfield,
with the Importan of Le Vaill. (Ois. d’A f., pi. 106, f. ii.), and certain crested species
from India, appears to complete the circle of the typical genus. The strait bill of
Iora prepares us for the genus Micropus, Sw. ; by which, through Bhillastrephus, Sw., and Trichophorus, Tem.,- Nature seems to reach Icteria, Vied. ; and thus to
return to the typical Such is probably ag ernuudse Boruatlcihnyep uosf, tShwe .natural series of this division, which
appears confined; like the Edolianas, to the hot latitudes of the Old World.
They have hitherto received so little attention, that the very existence of the group
has never yet been suspected. The inimitable tact, however, possessed by
Le Vaillant in the perception of affinities, induced him to place together all the
African species he was acquainted with ; and to his invaluable work on the birds
of that continent we are indebted for some important information, which we shall
allude to hereafter; at present it will be sufficient to state, that these birds live
only among trees ; that they are of social habits, evince a singular attachment to
man, and are perpetually uttering a short, unvaried song. They apparently subsist
entirely upon insects concealed among the branches. Without entering further into
details, their whole conformation will be found in strict unison with these habits.
That the short-legged Thrushes are immediately followed by the
ORIOLIN.*,
there can be little doubt; for although the connection has never been perceived,
and the passage is by no means indisputable, yet there are two remarkable birds,
whose peculiar conformation exhibits a union of those prominent characters, which
are alone found in these sub-families : nor do we believe- that their station in
Nature can be otherwise than as aberrant types of one or the other of these divisions.
We allude to the Grice de la Guyanne of Buffon, and the Palm Thrush
(Turdus palmarum) of authors f. The first has been placed, by some, with the
Tanagers, and by others with the Thrushes; but with very little attention to the
affinities of either one or the other. Even the distinguishing characters of this
bird .have been so completely overlooked, that, but for a reference to the old
* The Turdus gularis of Java (Linn. Trans., vol. xiii., p. 150) is a typical Trichophorus—Sw.
| Le Palmiste de Cayenne, PI. Enl. 539, f. i.
X