408 



NORTH AitERICAN BIRDS. 



describes it as a sliy, wild, aud restless bird, with a superb song, powerful 

 and finely modulated. Dr. Coues apjiears to think that this species has but 

 little affinity with the forms with wliicli it is usually gi'ouped. 



Section M Y I A D E ST E/E. 



Char. Tarsus slender, longer thaa middle toe and claw ; undivided as in Tnr- 

 didce. Toes deeply cleft. Wings more pointed ; second quill much longer than seconda- 

 ries. Lateral tail-feathers cuneate, or narrowing from base towards tip : generally whitisli 

 at end of inner web. Quills with their e.xtreine bases, especially of inner webs, buify yel- 

 low, showing a light patch inside. Head not crested, though the feathers sometimes full. 

 In the young all the feathers with light rounded .spots. Pre-eminent as melodious singers. 



But a single genus of tliis group belongs to the United States, althougii 

 two others {Cicklopiis and Platijcichla ?) occur in South America. As already 

 stated, the affinities of Mi/iadcstea; are much closest to Turdidcc, and this 

 would seem the proper fantily lor it. 



Ge.nus MYIADESTES, Swai>?sox. 



Myiadestes, Swais.son, Jard. Nat. Library, Xlll. Flycatchers, "1S38,"132. (Tyjw, M. 

 genibarbis, Sw.) 



GrEN. CiiAH. Occipital feathers full and soft. Plumage rather loose. Bill weak, much 

 depressed. Commissure nearly straight. Ilind toe longer than inner lateral. Toes deeply 



Myiadestes townsmdi. 



cleft. Closed wing externally with an exposed light band across the base of the quills, 

 and another nearer the end, separated by a darker one. Tail somewhat graduated on the 

 sides. 



Of the ten or more described species of this genus, only one belongs to 



