238 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [PART I. 



The preceding: synopsis is strictly empirical, and intended merely 

 to aid in distinguishing the genera. A more natural order of 

 sequence is to arrange the genera into three groups, of which Seto- 

 jyJiaga, Myiodioctes, and Cardellina respectively may be considered 

 as types, with several divergent forms, representing each other in 

 the following order : — 



Tail broad, rounded, a little or considerably longer than tlie wings. Bill 

 broad and flat : — 



Setopuaga. Setop/iarja, 



Eathlypis, 

 Mjjioborus. 



Tail narrow, nearly even, and about equal to the wings. Bill broad, de- 

 pressed: — 



Myiodioctes. Myiodioctes, 

 JJasileuterus, 

 Idiotes, 

 MyiotJdi/pis. 



Tail as in preceding. Bill narrow, Parine in appearance. Culmen 

 curved : — 



Cardellina. Cardellina, 



Ergaticus. 



In these three divisions, typical SetojjJiaga, Myiodioctes, and Car- 

 dellina, respectively, have the wing long and sharp-pointed ; the 

 others succeeding these have the wing shorter, more rounded, and 

 exhibit other divergent characters. I ajn by no means disinclined 

 to restrict the genera of Setophagese to the above mentioned three, 

 or at least to four, including Basileiderus, and to consider the others 

 as only sections or subgenera. There scarcely appears to be any 

 alternative to this view than to accept all the others mentioned as 

 of independent generic rank. 



MYIODIOCTES, Audubox. 



Myiodioctes, AuDnBON, Synopsis, 1839, 48. (Type MoiaciUa milrata, 



Gm.)— Baird, Birds N. Am. 1858, 291. 

 Wihonia, Bonap. List, 1838 (preoccupied in botany). 

 Myioctonus, Cabanis, Mus. Hein. 1850, 18. (Type Motacilla mitrata.) 



Bill broad, depressed; the lateral outlines a Jittle concave; the bristles 

 Teaching not quite half way from nostrils to tip. Culmen and commissure 

 nearly straight to near tlie tip. Nostrils oval, witli membrane above. Wings 

 pointed, rather longer than the nearly even but slightly roiinded tail ; 1st 

 quill shorter than the 4th, much longer than 5th ; the 2(1 and 3d quills longest. 

 Tarsi rather lengthened, the scutellar divisions rather indistinct ; the middle 

 •toe without claw, about three-fifths the tarsus. 



