166 PASSERES. — MUSCICAPAD.^. 



BUFF-WINGED FLAT-BILL* 

 Myidbius pallidus. — mihi. 



There is much resemblance between this species 

 and the Tyrannula megacepliala of Swainson's 

 Birds of Brazil, pi. 47 ; but they are manifestly 

 distinct. 



In unfrequented mountain roads, bordered by 

 deep forests, the Flat-bill is very common, and from 

 its fearlessness easily obtained. In the autumn 

 months, the traveller may observe a dozen or more 

 in the course of a mile, sitting on the projecting 

 branches of the way-side woods. There is, how- 

 ever, nothing like association of one with another; 

 like the other Tyrants, it is quite solitary, at least 

 in its occupation. It flies very little, the wings 

 being short and hollow; but sits on a twig, and 

 leaps out at vagrant flies, which it catches with a 

 loud snap, and returns ; it utters a feeble squeak 

 as it sits. Sometimes it emits a weak wailing cry, 

 as it flits from one tree to another. 



The analogies often observed between animals 



* Length 6^ inches, expanse 8^, flexure 2-^, tail 2^, rictus ^, 

 breadth at base ^, tarsus ^, middle toe ^. Irides hazel ; feet black ; 

 beak very depressed, lateral margin convex, upper mandible black, lower 

 pale fulvous, dark at tip. Upper parts olive-brown ; wing-quills black, 

 third longest ; greater coverts, secondaries, and tertiaries edged with pale 

 brown. Tail blackish, emarginated. Throat ashy, tinged with yellow. 

 Breast, belly, sides, and under tail-coverts, yellowish-brown. Ti'nder 

 wing-coverts duU-buif. 



