326 CRYING BIRDS— CLAMATORES. 



Hab. High central phiins to the Pacific ; Rio Grande Valley, southward to Mexico 

 and Costa Rica ; Labrador (Audubon). 



This bird arrives in California from the south about April 15th, and 

 spends the summer in most moimtainous parts of tlie State. It perches 

 mainly on lower dead limlis, and watclies for passing insects, uttering occa- 

 sionally a plaintive " pe-ah," but is usually \ti\j silent, and prefers tlie dark, 

 solitary recesses of the forests. 



I have not discovered their nest, but Audubon descriljes one found in 

 Labrador as built in a bush, of a large size, cliietly composed of dry 

 moss, and lined with feathers, being almost suspended like that of an 

 oriole. The eggs were five to seven, white, and minutely speckled nearly 

 all over with brown. 



If Audubon made no mistake in this, the nest was not like that of most 

 birds of this family, but may have been modified to suit the cold climate of 

 Labrador. 



Genus EMPIDONAX, Cabanis. 



Empidonax, Cabanis, Jour, fiir Oruitliuloyie, III. Nor. 1855, 480. (Type, Ti/rannvla 



piisilld.) 

 Tymmnda of most authors. 



Gen. Char. Tarsus lengthened, considerably longer than the middle toe, which is 

 decidedly longer than the hind toe. Bill variable. Tail very slightly forked, even or 



E. pnsillus. 



rounded ; a little shorter only than the wings, which are considerably rounded ; the first 

 primary much shorter than the fourth. Head moderately crested. Culur, olivaceous 

 above, yellowish beneath : tlu'oat generally gray. 



