BLACK-BILLED FLAT-BILL. 167 



possessing no affinity, is curious. The flat, weak 

 bill, darker above than below, the general form, the 

 hollow wings, the loose plumage, and the habit of 

 sitting on a low twig unmoved by the presence of 

 man, this species possesses in common with the 

 Tody. 



BLACK-BILLED FLAT-BILL.* 

 Myiobius tristis. MIHI. 



A VERY common species, frequenting the edges 

 of high woods and road-sides, like the preceding, 

 the manners of these birds being nearly the same. 

 It is a skilful fly-catcher, and a voracious one. I 

 have taken a Libellula of considerable size from the 

 stomach of one, which not only filled that organ, but 

 extended through the proventriculus to the oesopha- 

 gus : the head was downward, which position was 

 of course the most favourable for being swallowed. 



When taken in the hand, it erects the crown - 



* Length 6-J inches, expanse 9, flexure 2^, tail 2|, rictus , 

 breadth at base -5%, tarsus f , middle toe . Irides dark hazel ; beak 

 black above, dark brown beneath, formed as that of the preceding. Feet 

 greyish black. Crown deep bistre-brown, softening on the back to a 

 paler hue, slightly tinged with olive ; tail-coverts dark umber. Wings 

 black ; greater and mid coverts, and secondaries edged with pale umber ; 

 the tertials have still paler edges. Tail smoky black, each feather nar- 

 rowly edged with umber. Sides of head and neck, pale bistre. Chin, 

 throat, and fore neck, ashy-grey, blending on the breast with the pure 

 straw-yellow, which is the hue of the belly, sides, vent, and under tail- 

 coverts. Edge of shoulder pale buff. 



