_Galeoscoptes_, CABANIS, Mus. Hein. I, 1850, 82. (Type _Muscicapa
carolinensis_, L.)
GEN. CHAR. Bill shorter than the head, rather broad at base. Rictal
bristles moderately developed, reaching to the nostrils. Wings a
little shorter than the tail, rounded; secondaries well developed;
fourth and fifth quills longest; third and sixth little shorter; first
and ninth about equal, and about the length of secondaries; first
quill more than half the second, about half the third. Tail graduated;
lateral feather about .70 shorter than the middle. Tarsi longer than
middle toe and claw by about an additional half-claw; scutellate
anteriorly, more or less distinctly in different specimens; scutellæ
about seven.
The conspicuous naked membranous border round the eye of some
Thrushes, with the bare space behind it, not appreciable.
[Line drawing: _Galeoscoptes carolinensis._
2596]
There is little difference in form between the single species of
_Galeoscoptes_ and _Mimus polyglottus_, beyond the less degree of
definition of the tarsal plates; and but for the difference in
coloration (uniform plumbeous instead of gray above and white
beneath), we would hardly be inclined to distinguish the two
generically.
The single species known is lead-colored, with black cap, and
chestnut-red under tail-coverts.
Galeoscoptes carolinensis, CABAN.