BRACHYPODI'N.E, Swainson's name for a sub-family of Birds belonging to the Merulidce, containing the following genera, or rather sub-genera : Brachypus, Swaineon, thus characterised by him :—Bill short ; rictus (gape) bristled; feet small, weak ; lateral toes equal ; hinder toe as long as the tarsus. Type, Brachypus dispar, Sw. (Turdus dispar, Horafield).
Chloropsis, Jardine and Selby. Bill more lengthened ; the tip much hooked; the notch forming a small distinct tooth ; rictus smooth; feet small ; lateral toes unequal ; the hinder toe rather shorter than the tarsus.
Bra, Horsfield. Bill nearly as long as the head, lengthened, conic ; rictus smooth ; tarsi somewhat lengthened, the anterior scales divided; tail even. Type, Idra scapularis,liorefield.
Andropadus, Swainson. Bill short ; the upper mandible serrated near the tip ; neck with setaceous hairs. Type, L'Importan, Le Vaillant.
Hcernatornis, Swainson. Bill short ; rictus bristled ; lateral toes unequal ; binder toe shorter than the tarsus. Types :-1. Chryso rrhoeus, Le Valliant. 2. Turdus hamarrhous of authors. 3. Turdus birnaculatus of Horafield. 4. Erythrotis of Swainson (Ldnius jocosus of Linmeus).
Mr. Swainson does not seem to have been aware that the appellation Brachypus had previously been conferred by Fitzinger on a sub-genus of Saurians, belonging to the Chalcides of Daudin, and it should therefore be no longer used to distinguish a sub-genus of birds. The term at the head of this article, which Mr. Swaineon has applied to the sub-family, might be changed with advantage; for it may be liable to create confusion when unexplained by contexts, and leave the reader in doubt whether a sub-family of birds or reptiles is intended.