markable manner, to indicate the same analogies, we shall have frequent occasion to
point out. It may be unnecessary, perhaps, to observe, that all ornithologists have
overlooked this circumstance, did not the oversight illustrate the absolute necessity
of the most minute examination of species, described and re-described in
every system. The analogy of Cinclus to the Tenuirostres is sufficiently satisfactory
; but that between Dasycephala and the Fissirostres is very striking; both
have the bill entire, or nearly so,—both have the rictus strongly bristled,—both
have weak and syndactile feet: the aberrant forms among the Fissirostres have
short rounded wings: Dasycephala, in its own group, is likewise aberrant, and
possesses the same character. Finally, we may remark, that as the Tyrant
Shrikes also represent the Fissirostres, so were we induced, some years ago, to
place the American Dasycephala; With the Tyrannince, without relation to the suspecting their Merulidm.
From the Insessorial tribes we now descend to the families of the Dentirostres, one of which-is composed of the birds whose analogies we are now tracingo- * Families.
Laniad® . . Bill abruptly hooked or bent . . Myothera
Merulid® . Bill gradually bent . . . . Pitta
SyLVIAD® . . ? . Mn ry ophi onus.
Ampelid® . Rictus smooth; feed only upon soft substances . . Cinclus.
Todid® . .B ill lengthened, base depressed; feet syndactile . , Dasycephala.
That the Laniadcc are represented by Myothera must, at least, be admitted since
their absolute affinity has been insisted upon; while Pitta possesses the true thrush-
hke bill of the typical Merulce. This is important, since it may establish the rank
of the Myotherince as the second or sub-typical group of the whole family. What
analogy exists between the Sylmadce and Myophonus we know not, at present •
but as the former unquestionably represents the Scansores, so we feel no hesitation
m leaving a blank between these two points. The resemblance between Cinclus
and the Ampehdce cannot be supposed very strong; yet that Dasycephala typifies
the Flycatchers and Todies there can be no doubt, seeing that some writers have considered the relation as one of actual affinity.
We shall now illustrate the circle of the Myotherince, by comparing it with a
group of its own rank or value. In our views of the analogies existing between
the Thrushes and the Shrikes, we have placed the Myotherince directly opposite
otou tt hbey Tthhaem cnoonptehniltism oef, eaLceht. us therefore inquire bow far this arrangement is borne
Typical Genera.
| Pitta.
Typical Genera.
Malaconotus . f Plumage bright; bill more or less gradually |
| curved. Inhabits the Old World; 'j
Thamnophilus . ƒ Plumage dark, spotted or banded; bill abruptly ]
\ hooked. Inhabits the New World. J| Myothera.
Prionops . .
?
f Bill lengthened; head defended by setaceous ]
\ frontal feathers; feet partly syndactile. J
* *
| Dasycephala.
Cinclus.
Platylophus
[ Bill lengthened, abruptly hooked; wings broad,
. < rounded; secondary quills and tail feathers
[ ending in fine points.
| Myophonus.
This table may possibly appear very unsatisfactory to those who are accustomed
to see “ a place found for every thing,” or who imagine it necessary that circles
should be represented complete. It might, nevertheless, be reasonably supposed
that Colurisoma would very well fill up the blank in our first column ; and, indeed,
many apparently strong and cogent reasons might be urged on the probability of
such being its natural station; but we rather choose, for the present, to confess our
doubts on the subject. With regard to the Australian and Madagascarian Vangce, there are so many important facts to be considered and discussed before their true
situation in nature can be made out, that we even feel uncertain to what primary
group among the Lardadw they truly belong; and these considerations have rendered
us doubly fearful of violating nature, to give a fictitious perfection to this
last table.
The mistake we formerly committed, in common with all other ornithologists,
of placing the Dasycephalce with the Tyrant Flycatchers, led us to inquire in what
way the strong resemblance between these two groups could be explained; whether,
in short, the relation was one of affinity, or of very strong analogy. It thus
became necessary to compare the sub-families of the Laniadce with the genera of
the Myotherince. The following is the result:—
_ L ania d *®.
Sub-families.
Lanian®
Thamnophilin®
E dolian®
Cerlepyrin®
Tyrannin® .
Analogies.
. Bill short, curved from the base .
. Bill long, curved only at the end .
f Hind toe and claw lengthened; tail ending in
slender points; rictus strongly bristled.
Plumage particularly soft; rictus smooth
[ Base of the bill depressed, the tip abruptly
' [ hooked; rictus bristled.
My o t h e r in ®.
Genera.
. Pitta.
. Mybthera.
1 Myophonus.
. Cinclus.
1 Dasycephala.