408 



NORTH AMERigAN UfRDS. 



(lescriljes it as a sliy, wild, and restless bird, with a superb aon^, powerful 

 and finely modulated. Dr. Cones appears to think that this spiujies has but 

 little affinity with the forms with which it is usually grouped. 



Section MYIADESTE>E. 



Char. Tarsus slender, longer tliua middle too mid claw; undivided as in Tur- 

 didw. Toes deeply cleft. Win-s more pointed ; second quill much longer thnu seconda- 

 ries. Lateral tiul-leafhers cuneate, or narrowing from base towards lip ; generally wliitisii 

 at end of inner weh. Quills with their e-xtn-nie bases, ..-specially of inner webs, bully yel- 

 low, showmg a light patch inside. Head not crested, though ih.. leathers sometimes full 

 In the young all the feathers with liglit rounded spots. Pre-eminent as melodious singers. 



Rut a single genus of this group lielongs to the United States, although 

 two others {Cicklojm.^ and PI at nr id, I a f) oceur in South America. As already 

 stated, the affinities of Mi/mhstccc are much closest to Turdidw, and this 

 woidd seem the proper family for it. 



Ge.vus MYIADESTES, Swaixson. 



MnindesU-s, Sw.vinson, Jar.l. Nat. Library, Xlll. Flycatel.,.rs, "1838," 132 (Type JA 

 fjcniluirbix, Sw.) • ' ' 



Gkn. Chak. Occipital feathers full and solt. Plumage rather loose. Bill weak much 

 depressed. Commissure nearly straight. Hind toe longer than inner lateral. Toes deeply 



Mi/iaf/e.stps tnwnsemfi. 



cleft. Closed wing externally with an exposed light band across the ba,se of the quills 

 and another nearer the end, separated by a darker one. Tail somewhat gra.luated on the 

 sides. 



Of the ten or more described si)ecies of this genus, only one belongs to 



