MNIOTILTIDA, — CLXXIIL. 297 
the Warblers are pleasing songsters, but none exhibit any remark- 
able powers in that line. The name “ Warbler ” comes from their 
resemblance to the warblers of Europe (Sylviid@) and not from 
any distinguished musical quality of their own. All are insectivo- 
rous and iigratory. 
This family consists of more than 100 species, all American. 
The Mniotiltide grade perfectly into the Cerebide and Tanagride, 
and the last as perfectly into the Fringillide. Convenience is the 
only excuse for retaining any of these groups as distinct families. 
a. Bill not depressed and fly-catcher-like; rictal bristles if present scarcely 
reaching beyond nostrils. 
6. Bill rather slender, little compressed ; (small birds; length less than 63). 
d. Hind toe with claw very long, as long as tarsus in front; claw of 
middle toe in same line as axis of the toe; (color black and white, 
DO YeNOM ay eer ius Bae ise te tie ae Mnioriura, 507. 
dd. Hind toe with claw much shorter than naked portion of tarsus in 
front; claw of middle toe (seen from above) set obliquely to axis 
of the toe. 
e. Middle toe with claw not shorter than tarsus; (no white wing bars); 
bill rather long. 
J. (Tail feathers blotched with white.) .. PROTONOTARIA, 508. 
Jf. (Tail feathers without white.) 
g- Bill very much compressed; culmen straight, with a ridge 
POA Moa iaenr a eagh eatin i cco a aria HELINAIA, 509. 
gg- Bill slightly compressed; culmen gently curved, the basal 
portion Hot ridged. Slay. gfe) 4! HELMITHERUS, 510. 
ee. Middle toe with claw decidedly shorter than naked portion of 
tarsus in front (except in Dendroica dominica, a species with 
white wing bars). 
h. Rictus without bristles; bill very acute, scarcely notched ; (tail 
feathers with or without white), HELMINTHOPHILA, 511. 
hh. Rictus with bristles. 
2 Tail scarcely rounded, usually much shorter than wing; 
(tail blotched with white or with the inner web bright 
yellow; legs and feet moderate, usually dark colored). 
Jj. Hind toe evidently longer than its claw; bill acute, not 
noteheds 0 rays es fete el) CoMPSOTHLYPIS, 512. 
Jj. Hind toe scarcely longer than its claw; bill usually 
not very acute, and with a slight notch toward its 
CPs) <j heel ae, ecm ites DeEnproIca, 513. 
a. Tail usually more or less rounded, not very much shorter 
than wing; legs and feet strong, usually pale; (no white 
or bright yellow on tail feathers). 
k, (Lower parts much streaked.) . . SEr1uRus, 514. 
kk. (Lower parts not streaked.) . Grorunyrts, 515. 
6b. Bill stout, much compressed, its greatest depth half its length from nos- 
tril to tip; outer side of tarsus smooth on its upper half; tail longer 
than wings; bill without notch or bristles; (large, more than 7). Chats. 
IcTERIA, 516. 
aa. Bill depressed, broader than deep at base, notched and slightly hooked, 
with strong rictal bristles about half the length of bill; length 53 or less. 
Fly-catching Warblers. 
