SVLVICOLID.E- THE WAIinLKRS. 



270 



In Soiithfrii Illinois, Mr. l{i(l.«:\vay <*itos this species as a vatlier ran^ l.ird 

 anions the oak l.anviis wliere it breeds. He also met with it in orchards in 

 tin- WModi'd i»(»rtions, in Ai»nl, during the northward migration of the Ny/" 



The eggs are of an oval shape, ]>ointed at one end, and measure .08 ])y .48 

 of an inch. They have a white grountl, marked with spots of lilac aud pur- 

 l)le aud two shades of umber-brown. 



Subfamily GEOTHLYPINJE. 



Section SEIURE^. 



The diagnosis of the subfirmily w.ii be found on page 178. The Sdurcfr, 

 as there stated, have the wings ])ointed, and ratlier longer than the nearly 

 even tail, which is uns])otted. The genera diller in proportion rather than 

 absolutely. Oporurnis having longer wings and larger claws. The coloration, 

 however, is alwavs distinctive, as follows : — 



Under part white or whitish, thiekly streaked 

 Beneath yellow, without spots 



Seiurua. 

 Oporoniis. 



Genus SEIURUS, Sw.mnson. 



Scii(ru.% SwAiNsoN, Zoiil. Jour. Ill, lbi»7, 171. (Sufficiently distinct (roin Sciurm.) (Tyito, 



Motiiiilht auwoip.Ud, L. ) 

 //f»Av)f/(7(Af, (JiiAY, List of Genera, 1840. 



Gkn. Ch.m:. IJill rather sylvitoliiie, eonipressed, with a distinct notch. Gonys ascend- 

 ing. Rii-tal bristles very short. Wings moderate, about three quarters of an inch longer 

 than the tail: lirst (pjill seareoly shorter than the 

 secH)nd. Tail sliirlitly rounded : feathers acumi- 

 nate. Tarsi ahout as louir as the skull, con- 

 siderably exeeedinf; the middle toe. Under 

 tail-coverts reaehiii!^'- within about half an inch 

 of the end of the tail. Color above olivaceous ; 

 beneath whitish, tliirkly streakeil (n tiie breast 

 and sides. \Vinj,'s and tail innuaeulate. Xests 

 on the j^round, often arched or shelt M-ed by posi- 

 tion or dry leaves. Eirus white, marked with 

 red, brown, aud purple. 



iStiurus aurocapilhis. 



This genus is decidedly sylvieoline in general a]ipeamnce, although the 

 spots on the l»reast resemble somewhat those of the Thrushes. The three 

 species may be grouj)ed as follows : — 



A. Middle of crown brown ish-oranii-e. bordered l)y blackish. Xo whit<; super- 

 ciliary streak ........... ^V. aui'ocapillus. 



