This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1862 edition. Excerpt: ...Saxicolce and the Mwcicapidce. The first impression, upon seeing this bird, is that of its being a robin (Erythaica); - glance at its bill and its feet destroys this idea, and we should then pronounce it a flycatcher. But its tail is so totally unlike that of the restricted genus Muscieapa, where alone it ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1862 edition. Excerpt: ...Saxicolce and the Mwcicapidce. The first impression, upon seeing this bird, is that of its being a robin (Erythaica); - glance at its bill and its feet destroys this idea, and we should then pronounce it a flycatcher. But its tail is so totally unlike that of the restricted genus Muscieapa, where alone it might be supposed to enter, that we were altogether perplexed as to its precise station: and although we were convinced it was either a most aberrant species, or the type of a new sub-genus, we did not venture to characterize it, even in our latest arrangement. The recent acquisition, however, of the birds before alluded to, have solved all our doubts upon this subject; and under the sub-generic name of Class, of Birds, vol. ii. BLACK FAXTAIL. Leucoeirca laticauda, Swains. PLATE XI. Plumage above, and half way down the throat, deep black; stripe over the eye, spots on the wing-covers, and under plumage white; quills brown. This species, remarkable for its broad and perfectly black tail, makes a very near approach to the Rhipidura motacilloides; but it cannot possibly be the same, for the length of the wing, in that species, is stated to be only three inches and one-fifth, whereas the wing of this measures almost four inches. Neither has this any appearance of an interrupted pectoral band of black, while the white spots, on the wing-covers, seen in our present species, are not noticed in the account given of the other. Although this species does not exhibit the character so prevalent in this sub-genus of a white tipped tail, it nevertheless possesses all the others, namely, a bill of ordinary length, stout legs, and broad tail-feathers. I possess two specimens; but having purchased them with other birds, I know Horsf. & Vigors. Linn. Tr....
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