238 



REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. 



[tART I, 



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The preceding synopsis is strictly empirical, and intended merely 

 to aid in distinguishing the genera. A more natural order of 

 sequence is to arrange the genera into three groups, of which Seto- 

 jihaga, Myiodioctea, and Cardellina respectively may be considered 

 as types, with several divergent forms, representing each other in 

 the following order : — 



Tail broad, rounded, a little or considerably longer than the wings. Bill 

 broad and flat : — 



Setophaoa. Setophaga, 



Euthlypis, 

 MyiohoTus, 



Tail narrow, nearly even, and about equal to the wings. Bill broad, de- 

 pressed : — 



Mtiodioctbs. MyiodiocteSf 

 I Basileuterut, 



Idiotes, 

 Myiothlypis. 



Tail as in pj^eceding. Bill narrow, Parine in appearance. Calmen 

 curved :— 



Cabdbllina. Cardellina, 



Ergaticus. 



In these three divisions, typical Setophaga, Myiodioctes, and Car- 

 dellina, respectively, have the wing long and sharp-pointed ; the 

 others succeeding these have the wing shorter, more rounded, and 

 exhibit other divergent characters. I ajn by no means disinclined 

 to restrict the genera of Setophagese to the above mentioned three, 

 or at least to four, including Basileuterus, and to consider the others 

 as only sections or subgenera. There scarcely appears to be any 

 alternative to this view than to accept all the others mentioned as 

 of independent generic rank. 



AtJDnBON. 



(Type Motacilla mitrata, 



M7IODIOCTES, 



Myiodioctes, AcDtTBON, Synopsis, 1839, 48. 

 Gm.)— Baird, Birds N. Am. 1858, 291. 

 Wilsonia, Bonap. List, 1838 (preoccupied in botany). 

 Myioctonus, Cabams, Mus. Hein. 1850, 18. (Type Motacilla mitrata.) 



Bill broad, depressed ; the lateral outlines a little concave ; the bristles 

 reaching not quite half way from nostrils to tip. Culmen and commissure 

 nearly straight to near the tip. Nostrils oval, with membrane above. Wings 

 pointed, rather longer than the nearly even but slightly rounded tail ; Is' 

 quill shorter than the 4th, much longer than 5th ; the 2d and 3d quills longest. 

 Tarsi rather lengthened, the scutellar divisions rather indistinct ; the middle 

 toe without claw, about three-fifths the tarsus. 



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