462 Mr. R. Ridgway on the Genns Empidonax. 



typical species only in coloration, and not essentially in this 

 respect. 



Both Mitrephanes and Empiclochanes are nearly related to 

 Empidonax, but seem to be sufficiently distinct to pass for 

 genera, as genera go among Passerine birds. Compared 

 with Empidonux, their more obvious characters are as fol- 

 lows : — 



Mitrephanes. Rictal bristles much more lengthened, 

 pileus much more conspicuously crested, bill narrower at 

 tip and more depressed; wings and tail proportionately 

 longer, and feet weaker; tail more deeply emargiuate than 

 in any species of Empidonax. Includes M. phceocercus, M. 

 aurantiiventris, Lawr., and ^'Empidonax'' utriceps, Salv. 



Empidochanes . Bill much less depressed, as well as rela- 

 tively longer, its depth at base being decidedly greater than 

 one half the width; tail decidedly rounded instead of even 

 or emarginated. Includes Muscicapa fuscata, Max., Musci- 

 capa oliva, Bodd. (?), M. fringillaris , Licht., and perhaps E. 

 pcecilurus, Scl., and E. pcecilocercus (neither of which have I 

 seen), but not Empidonax bruniieus, Ridgw., which I have 

 been able to compare with the tj^es of Muscicapa fuscata, 

 Max., in the American Museum, New York. 



Key to the Species of Empidonax. 



u\ Width of bill at nostrils decidedly greater than half 

 the length of the exposed culmen. 

 i\ Lower parts deep buft", deepening into ochraceous 

 on breast and sides, 

 c'. Upper parts deep hair-brown. 



d^. Lower parts soft pinkish buft", inclining to 

 isabelle colonr on breast, paler on throat and 

 belly, nearly white on under tail-coverts. 

 Wing 2-70 inches, tail 2'45 ; culmen, mea- 

 sured in each case from extreme base, 0-52 ; 

 tarsus 0-60 ; width of bill at base, measured 

 at anterior extremity of feathering of forehead, 

 0'21. — Mab. Eastern Mexico (north into 



Southern Texas?) E. fuhifrons. 



d'. Lower parts bright ochraceous buif, inclining 

 to deep ochraceous on breast and pale buffy 



