280 SUB-FAMILY TYKANNIN^— TYRANT FLYCATCHERS. 



been misled by descriptions or figures, as a comparison of 

 the two exhibits the most decided difference. 



Specimens in the Museum of the Cleveland Academy of 

 Natural Science. 



Sub-Family Tyrannin.^. — Tyrant Flycatchers. 



All the Flycatchers are characterised by the bill being 

 broader than high, gape wide, and with bristles surround- 

 ing the base. They are almost as insectivorous as the 

 swallows. In this sub-family the culmen, or ridge of the 

 bill, is straight to near the tip, then hooked, with a notch 

 behind. The tip of the under mandible is also notched; 

 nostrils oval or rounded, more or less concealed by the 

 long bristles; these have lateral branches at the base. 

 Tarsi short; middle and outer toe united at base by a mem- 

 brane. Wings moderate; the first quill always more than 

 three fourths the length of the second. Tail with twelve 

 feathers. 



Of this family we have representatives of five genera — 

 Tyranniis^ Myiarchus^ Sayornis^ Contojnis and Einpido- 

 7iax. The Milvulus tyranmis was found by Audubon in 

 Kentucky, but we are not aware that it has ever been 

 found in Ohio. It seldom visits the United States, being a 

 South American and Mexican species. There is a speci- 

 men of this bird in the Museum of the Cleveland Academy 

 of Natural Science, but it was obtained by Mr. Winslow 

 from Mexico. 



Tyr ANNUS, Cuvier. 



Tail nearly even, or moderatelj^ forked, rather shorter 

 than the wings; the feathers broad, and widening somewhat 

 at the ends; wings long and pointed, the outer primaries 



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