Here again, although these analogies are not only unquestionable, but particularly
striking, we find that, to preserve one column perfect, we must partly reverse
the other ; since Dasycephala, and not Myophonus, immediately follows Myothera. We may probably account for this in two ways ; either it is the necessary result
of comparing two such groups, like the present, of unequal value ; or from losing
sight of the fact, that the three aberrant groups in each column form but one, which group then only becomes equal in value to the two typical ones. However
this may be, the relations are too strong to make us suspect, for a moment, that
they are not founded in nature.
Upon the minor variations in form, or the sub-genera, we have not thought it
expedient to dwell, since the state of ornithological science is not yet sufficiently
advanced to sanction opinions on their value, or even on their true stations.
Before we can form any correct judgment, for instance, on such subordinate
groups as Drymophila, Formicivora, or Chamosza, all apparently entering in one
or other of the typical genera, Myothera and P itta, it will be necessary that these
last-named groups are analyzed, and tested analogically. We have no doubt
that Myothera contains representations of each of the five genera composing its
own sub-family, since Myothera Colma, 111., clearly typifies Cinclus; and we have
seen, in the French Museum, what appears to us the type of Dasycephala. Those
species, again, having the feet partially syndactile, appear to represent the typical
Pittas, wherein this structure is very prevalent. It will easily be seen, therefore,
that any attempt to pursue this inquiry further than to the affinities of genera, would be premature, and would presuppose a state of knowledge which is much
more likely to be developed in the next age than in this ; since naturalists have
not yet agreed in their opinions on the primary divisions of organized matter.
All we can hope to have achieved, is the determination of the leading groups
of the Merulidto, the indication of the typical structure of each, and the mode by
which the whole are connected. Our remarks, therefore, have merely opened a
field for future research ; but it can only be explored in proportion to the slow
development of knowledge ; and even then will require such an extensive
acquaintance with forms, and with their minuter variations, as will render the
task, at least for the present, almost hopeless.—Sw.
* The beautiful Irena, in like manner, may be supposed to represent Myophonus among the Oriolinte.
[36.] 1. C i n c l u s A m e r i c a n u s . (Swainson.) American Dipper.
Sub-f a m il y . Myotherin*. Sw ain so n . Genus. Cinclus. B e c h s t e in .
CinclUs Mexicaiius. Sw a in s. Syn., p. 367, No. 27.
Pallas Dipper.: ;(Cinclus Pallasii.) B o na p. Orn., iii., p. 1, pi. 16, f. i.
Three specimens of this bird were procured by Mr. Drummond near the sources
of the Athabasca River, on the eastern declivity of the Rocky Mountains, between
the 54th and 56th parallels of latitude. It was previously discovered by the late
Mr. W. Bullock in Mexico; but I am not aware that it has as yet been detected in
the intermediate country of the United States. Perhaps in its migrations it seldom
wanders so far to the eastward as to come within the tracts frequented by the
naturalists of the latter country. Several specimens, obtained in the same locality
and at the same time with Mr. Drummond’s, came into Mr. Leadbeater’s hands
through the Hudson’s Bay Company, one of which has been described and figured
by the Prince of Musignano in his splendid American Ornithology. Mr. Drummond
made no notes of the habits of this bird ; but they are, most probably, very
similar to those of the British species, which is termed provincially, “ Water-
colly,” “ Water-ouzel,” “ Dipper,” or ;“ Water-crake.” This bird has the
singular habit, for a species strictly terrestrial in its structure, of walking under
the surface of the water on the bed of a stream, using its wings as well as its legs
to urge itself along in quest of aquatic insects or the ova of fish. Montagu also
states that it sings in a strong and elegant manner, with much variation in its
notes, many of which are peculiar to itself, intermixed with a little of the piping
of Itth em Wayo opdo-slsaibrkly,— haRv.e originated in the brevity of our original notice of this
species *, that Prince C. Bonaparte has been misled in believing it was the Cinclus
Pallasii of M. Temminck,—a supposed Asiatic bird, sent by Pallas from the
Crimea, and described in the Manuel d’Ornithologie, i., p. 177, in the following
words: “ Cinclus Pallasii, formes de notre Cincle; tout le plumage, sans exception,
d’une seule nuance brune, couleur de chocolat. D’un envoi fait par le Professeur
• Cimlm Mexican™, cinereous-grey, Lead and chin brown: stee of die European species—N ob., in Phil. Mag, June, 1827-