BIRDS — SYLVICOLIDAE — DENDEOICA. 



263 



immaculate instead of conspicuously spotted. In both species there is a trace towards the base 

 of the bill of a median light stripe, varying in extent with the specimen.' 



The precise name of this large-billed species is a matter of uncertainty. The Tardus mola- 

 cilla, of Vieillot, has, as its chief distinguishing feature, a white lateral band from the bill 

 involving the eye, or passing above and below it, and with a dusky island anterior to the eye. 

 This is distinctly indicated both in the figure and description, and is so dissimilar in this 

 respect from specimens of the allied species known in the United States, as to render it almost 

 necessary to pass by Vieillot' s species at once. He further mentions that the under parts are 

 whitish anteriorly^ reddish posteriorly, and throughout, including the forepart of the throat, 

 spotted with brown. The size of the bill, as given in this figure, and the under parts agree 

 best with the slender-billed species, although difi'ering in the color and character of the eye 

 stripe ; if a synonym of either species, I should rather refer it to the S. noveboracensis. 



The description, by Cabanis, of Henicocichla major, from Xalapa, agrees very well with this 

 spefles, although I do not exactly comprehend the force of the statement that it has a "broader 

 whitish eyelid" than the other species ; although he probably refers to the superciliary stripe. 



There is, however, little doubt that the Seiurus hidovicianus, of Audubon, was based on an 

 individual of the same species ; although the description is not very minute, yet the yellowish 

 white colors, instead of pale yellow, the connection of the white su;jerciliary and maxillary 

 stripes behind the ear coverts, and the greater size, show this, as indicated still more satisfac- 

 torily by the figure. 



lAst of specimens. 



DENDROICA, Gray. 



Sylvicola, Gray, Genera Birds, 2d ed., 1841, 32. (Not of Humphreys nor Swalnson.) 



Dendroica, Gray, Genera Birds, Appendix, 1842, 8. 



Rhimamphm, Habtlaob, Rev. Zool 1845, 342. (Not of Rafinesque, Am. Monthly iWag. 1818 and Jour, de Phys. 1819.) 



Ch.^BiII conical, attenuated, depressed at the bage, where it is, however, scarcely broader than high, compressed from 

 the middle. Culmen straight for the basal half, then rather rapidly curving, the lower edge of upper mandible also concave. 

 Gonys slightly conve.\ and ascending. A distinct notch near the end of the bill. Bristles, though short, generally quite 

 distinct at the base of the bill. Tarsi long ; decidedly longer than middle toe, which is longer than the hinder one ; the claws 

 rather small and much curved; the hind claw nearly as long as its digit. The wings long and pointed; the second quil 

 usually a very little longer than the first. The tail slightly rounded and emarginate. 



CoZors. -^Tail always with a white spot ; its ground color never clear olive green. 



The name Sylvicola, which has until recently been assigned to the present genus, cannot longer 



' In the present species the bases of the feathers behind the ear coverts are whitish, thus connecting the superciliary stripe 

 With the maxillary white stripe. In noveboracensis the dusky line through the eye is continuous with the olive of the side of the 

 neck. 



