50 BIRDS. 



tip. Rictal bristles conspicuous; nostrils oval, over- 

 hung by a few bristles or a feather. Tarsus booted or 

 scutellate. Basal joint of middle toe attached its whole 

 length externally, half way internally. A large family 

 of nearly six hundred species of small birds, chiefly of 

 the Old World, where they take the place filled in 

 America by the SylmcoUdie. To this family belongs 

 the European nightingale. Our species fall into two 

 sub - families, RegulincB and Polioptilincie^ each repre- 

 sented by its typical genus. 



* Tarsus booted ; wings longer than tail. . , Regulus, 1. 

 ** Tarsus scutellate; wings not longer than tail. Polioptila, 2. 



/. REGULUS, Cuvier. Kinglets. 



1. R. satrapa, I.icht. Golden^- Crowned Kinglet. 

 Olivaceous; crown with a yellow patch, bordered with 

 black, orange red in the center in 5; extreme fore- 

 head and line over eye, whitish; vague dusky blotch at 

 base of secondaries; a tiny feather over each nostril; L. 

 4; W. 2i; T. If. N. Am. 



2. R. calendula, (L.) IJcht. Ruby-Croavned Kinglet. 

 Olivaceous; crown with a scarlet patch in both sexes, 

 wanting the first year; no black about head; no nasal 

 feather; L. 4^; W. 2^; T. If. N. Am. 



2. POLIOPTILA, Sclater. Gnat Catchers. 



1. P. ccBPulea, (L.) Sclater. Blue -Gray Gnat 



Catcher. Clear ashy blue, brightest on head; whitish 

 below; $, with forehead and sides of crown black; outer 

 tail feathers chiefly white; L. 4^; W. 2; T. 2^. U. S., 

 chiefly southerly; N. to Mass. and L. Mich. Noticeable 

 for its sprightly ways and squeaky voice, " like a mouse 

 with the toothache; " but really a fine singer. 



