346 ZOOLOGY. 



depressed ; wings long, pointed ; tail short, rounded ; tarsi and feet short 

 and strong. Size moderate ; colors plain. 



About fifty species of peculiar-looking birds constitute this sub-family. 

 They are strictly confined to South America and the West Indies, migrat- 

 ing according to the seasons, and living exclusively on insects. 



The Cayenne flycatcher, Tityra cay anus, is a well known species. Its 

 plumage is almost entirely dusky white, with a black head. 



Sub-fam. 5. Muscicapince, or true Flycatchers. Bill moderate, broad at 

 base, gradually compressed to the tip ; gape furnished with strong bristles ; 

 wings long and generally pointed ; tarsi and feet short and slender. Size 

 generally small. 



An extensive sub-family, containing not less than two hundred and fifty 

 species of birds, inhabiting all parts of the world. 



The North American species belong to the genus Setophaga, one of the 

 most common species of which is the American redstart, S. ruticilla. It is 

 abundant in the woods during summer, and is a very lively and pretty little 

 bird. 



" This," says Audubon, " is one of the most lively as well as one of the 

 handsomest of our flycatchers, and ornaments our woods during spring and 

 summer, when it cannot fail to attract the attention of any person who may 

 visit the interior of the shady forests. It is to be met with over the whole 

 of the United States, where it arrives, according to the different localities, 

 between the first of March and the first of May. It takes its departure, on 

 its way southward, late in September and in the beginning of October." 



The hooded flycatcher, S. ??iitrata, is a very handsome species belonging 

 to this sub-family. Its plumage is of bright yellow and green, with a black 

 hood covering the greater part of the head. 



The Canada flycatcher. -S. canadensis, is another beautiful little bird, 

 which is frequently met with in all parts of the United States. 



The most abundant European species are the grey flycatcher, Muscicapa 

 grisola (pi. 101, fig. 17), and the white-necked flycatcher, 31. alhicollis 

 {fig. 18). 



Nearly all the many remaining species of these birds are natives of the 

 tropical regions of Asia, Africa, and America. 



A very beautiful species of South America is the great-crested, or king 

 of the flycatchers, M. regia {pi. 10\, fig. 19), remarkable for its large crest 

 of purple and crimson feathers. It is frequently brought in collections. 



Sub-fam. 6. VireonincB, or Greenlets. Bill moderate, straight, com- 

 pressed, tip curved ; gape with short bristles ; wings rather long ; tail 

 moderate ; tarsi and feet rather long, and moderately strong. Size small ; 

 colors generally olive green and white. 



About a dozen birds of peculiar form and habits are arranged here. 

 They are almost exclusively North American, two or three species only 

 having been found in the southern parts of this continent. 



The red-eye, Vireo olivaceus, the warbling flycatcher, V. gilvus, the 

 solitary, V. soUtarius, the white-eye, V. noveboracensis, and the yellow- 

 breasted, V. fiavifrons, are the commonest species. 

 550 



