424 BULLETIN 50, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



secondaries by at least length of middle toe without claw (usually 

 more) ; seventh, eighth, sixth, seventh, and eighth, or seventh, eighth, 

 and ninth primaries longest, the tenth (outermost) at least equal to 

 third, sometimes equal to fifth. Tail nearly as long as wing, even, 

 slightly emarginate or slightly double-rounded, the rectrices moderate 

 in width, widening perceptibly toward tip. Tarsus usually a little less 

 than one-fourth as long as wing (decidedly more than one-fourth as 

 long in E.fallax), decidedly less than twice as long as" middle toe with- 

 out claw, its scutellation distinct, typically exaspidean; basal phalanx 

 of middle toe united to outer toe for greater part (sometimes nearly 

 the whole) of its length, to inner toe for about half its length; outer toe, 

 without claw, reaching to or beyond middle of subterminal phalanx of 

 middle toe, the inner toe more or less (l)ut sometimes very indistinctl}-) 

 shorter; hallux rather shorter than inner toe but much stouter, its 

 claw shorter than the digit; all the claws rather large, strongly curved, 

 sharp, and compressed. 



Coloration. — Above plain gray or olive, the crown sometimes with a 

 concealed patch of white or yellowish white; wings dusky with pale 

 edgings, the greater and middle coverts broadly tipped with dull whit- 

 ish or pale olive, producing two distinct bands; under parts pale yel- 

 lowish or whitish more or less strongly shaded (except in E. falJax) 

 with olive or gra3dsh on chest and sides (throat also sometimes pale 

 olive or grayish) . 



Nidijication. — Nest shallow cup-shaped or saucer-shaped, compact, 

 ornamented externally with spiders' webs, lichens, etc., lined with 

 feathers, hair, or other soft materials, placed in bushes or small trees. 

 Eggs (usually 2) creamy white to deep cream color, spotted, chiefly 

 round larger end, with reddish brown, etc. 



Range. — Southern Mexico to southern Peru, Argentina, and south- 

 eastern Brazil ; one species in Lesser Antilles (also one each on islands 

 of Jamaica and Haiti, Greater Antilles,, and one on the island of Fer- 

 nando Noronha, off eastern Brazil) .'^ (More than twenty species.^) 



The species of the genus Elsenia are involved in the greatest con- 

 fusion, and no genus of American birds is more in need of careful and 

 thorough revision. Even the small number of forms belonging to the 

 field of the present work has given me the greatest trouble, and I must 

 confess that I am not satisfied with the manner in which I have been 

 able to work them out, both the time and material necessary being 

 wanting. 



" I have not seen E. ridleyana Sharpe, of F(>rnando Noronha Ishmd. 



f* Twenty-six species are given in vol. iii of Doctor Sharpc's " Hand-list" (1901 ; ])]). 

 122-125). Some of these I have not seen and therefore can not be snre wh(nher they 

 really belong here. 



