80 TYRANNIDA. 
elongated, the outer web of the external rectrices is white, and its general coloration 
are all points wherein it differs from Mitrephanes pheocercus, the type of Mitrephanes. 
CONTOPUS. 
Contopus, Cabanis, J. f. Orn. 1855, p. 479 (type Muscicapa virens, Linn.) ; Scl. Cat. Birds Brit. 
Mus. xiv. p. 234. 
Nuttallornis, Ridgway, Man. N. Am. B. p. 337 (type Tyrannus borealis, Sw.). 
This is also one of the obscure genera of Tyrannide, some of the species of the 
C. virens group being exceedingly difficult to define. Others, again, are well-marked 
and easily distinguished. Mr. Sclater recognizes nine species of Contopus, but there are 
several others the status of which he was unable to establish. 
In our region we find eight species, whereof three are migratory, spending their 
breeding-season in North America. | 
The type of Contopus (C. virens) is very like several species of Himpidonax, but larger 
and always to be distinguished by its proportionally shorter tarsi. The form of the 
bill, the supranasal feathers, &c. are much the same in both genera, as are also the 
proportions of the wings and tail. 
C. borealis departs from the type in being a larger, stouter bird, with a much stouter 
bill and shorter tail. C. musicus is also different in other ways, the tail being long and 
somewhat forked. Both these sections are also marked by having a large white patch 
on the flanks on either side, but this is also present in a less degree in C. virens. 
a. Species majores. 
a’. Abdomen in medio album. 
1. Contopus borealis. 
Tyrannus borealis, Sw. Faun. Bor.-Am. u. p. 141, t. 35"; Salv. Ibis, 1866, p. 2037. 
Contopus borealis, Baird, B. N. Am. p. 188°; Lawr. Aun. Lyc. N. Y. ix. p. 115‘; Bull. U.S. Nat. 
Mus. no. 4, p. 27°; Salv. P. Z. S. 1870, p. 199°; Baird, Brew., & Ridgw. N. Am. B. ii. 
p- 83537; Coues, Birds N. W. p. 243°; Key N. Am. B. ed. 2, p. 488°; Perez, Bull. U. S. 
Nat. Mus. ix. p. 156%; Tacz. Orn. Per. ii. p. 316"; Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. p. 837%; 
Scl. Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. xiv. p. 284”. 
Muscicapa cooperi, Nutt. Man. i. p. 282”. 
Tyrannus cooperi, Scl. P. Z. 8. 1856, p. 297. 
Contopus cooperi, Cab. J. f. Orn. 1861, p. 248"°. 
Muscicapa mesoleuca, Licht. Preis-Verz. mex. Vog. p. 2 (cf. J. f. Orn. 1863, p. 58) 22”. 
Contopus mesoleucus, Scl. P. Z. S. 1859, p. 48°°; Scl. & Salv. Ibis, 1859, p. 1221"; Sumichrast, 
Mem. Bost. Soc. N. H. 1. p. 557. 
Supra brunneo-ardesiacus ; capite obscuriore; alis et cauda nigricantibus; alarum tectricibus pallide fusco 
terminatis, secundariis internis extrorsum albido limbatis: subtus medialiter albus; abdomine vix flavo 
tincto ; hypochondriis plaga magna alba notatis: rostri maxilla nigricante, mandibula flava; pedibus nigris. 
