TYRANNID^—TYRANNIN.E: TYRANT FLYCATCHERS. 523 



4th generally a little the longest ; 1st shorter than 6th. Eastern U. S. and British Provinces, 

 N. to the Fur Countries, W. to the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, Indian Territory and most of 

 Texas, casually to Colorado and British Columbia ; S. 

 into Mexico in winter ; Cuba ; very abundant in open 

 places, fields, along streams, and almost as domestic as the 

 Barn Swallow, or House Wren. One of the very earliest 

 arrivals in spring (whence Wilson's name of nunciola, 

 *' little messenger"), becoming generally distributed in the 

 U. S. in March, and a late loiterer in fall through Septem- 

 ber or even October ; winters abundantly in the Southern 

 States, and breeds thence northward throughout its range. 

 Its ordinary note is harsh and abrupt, unlike the drawling 

 pe-a-wee' of Contopus virens — sounding like pe-tcW p)M'- 

 be, whence the name. The typical nest is affixed to the 

 side of a vertical rock over water, often itself moist or drip- 

 ping, and composed of mud, grass, and especially moss, 

 making a pretty object, lined with hay or feathers. The 

 bird now builds anywhere about houses, bridges, and 

 other buildings ; its attachment to particular spots is so 

 strong that it will return year after year, and often persist Fio. 350. — Pewit Flycatcher, reduced, 



in nesting under the most discouraging circumstances. (Sheppard del. Nichols sc.) 

 Eggs 3-8, usually 4-5-6, from 0.80 X 0.60 to 0.67 X 0.55, averaging 0.75 X 0.57; normally 

 pure white, not seldom sparsely dotted with reddish-brown. (5*. fusca of previous eds. of the 

 Key, as of most late writers, after Muscicapa fusca 6m. 1788, based on M. carolinensis fusca 

 Briss. 1760, but this is antedated twice, by M. fusca Mull. 1776, and 31. fusca Bodd. 1783, 

 both of which are different birds. The next name in date, M. atra Gm. 1788, based on the 

 Dusky Flycatcher of Pennant's Arct. Zool. ii, 1785, p. 389, is likewise preoccupied by 31. 

 atra Mull. 1776, a third different bird. The earliest available name is therefore 31. phoebe 

 Lath. Ind. Orn. ii, 1790, p. 489, based on Pennant as just cited. See Auk, Jan. 1885, p. 51. 

 A. 0. U. Lists, 1886 and 1895, No. 456. In the probable event of the removal of this species 

 from the genus Sayoniis, it will be known as Empidias phoebe CouES.) 

 CON'TOPUS. (Gr. kovtos, kontos, an adj., meaning short (not koutos, kontos, noun, a pole or 

 perch) and novs, pious, foot. Fig. 344, c) Wood Pewee Flycatchers. Feet extremely 

 small ; tarsus shorter or not longer than bill, shorter than middle toe and claw (in Nuttallor- 

 nis) ; tarsus, middle toe, and claw tt)gether, barely or not one-third as long as wing ; bill flattened, 

 very broad at base; wings pointed, much longer than emarginate tail; proportions of primaries 

 varying with the species. Medium-sized and rather small species, brownish-olivaceous, with- 

 out any bright colors or very decided markings ; coronal feathers lengthened and erectile, but 

 hardly forming a true crest. A small group of woodland species, near Empidona.r, but char- 

 acterized, as above described, by the feeble diminutive feet. Nest on boughs ; no mud ; eggs 

 creamy, spotted. This genus has enjoyed unchallenged the name Contopus ?>\viCG 1855; but 

 there is a genus Contipus, De Marseul, 1853, in entomology, and if this be held to void 

 Contopus in ornithology, our Wood Pevvoes must be called Horizopus Obeuh. Auk, Oct. 

 1899, p. a30. 



Analysis of Species. 



A conspicuous tuft of white fluffy feathers on the flank, and under parts streaky. (Subgenus NurxAtLORNis.) 



Length 7.00-8.00 ; tail about .3.00 ; wing about 4.00, pointed by 2d primary, supported nearly to end by 1st and 



3d, 4th much shorter. Tarsus shorter than bill. N. Am borealis 



Less conspicuous white fluffy tuft on flank, or none at all ; under parts not streaky. (Contopcs proper.) 



Large : length about 8.00 ; tail 3.50 or more ; wing about 4.00, pointed by '2d-4th quills, the 1st much shorter. 

 Tarsus not shorter than middle toe and claw. Western periinax pallidivenlrU 



