342 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. 



TYBANNTTLI. SIzo generally small; colors usually plain; crown without any colored 

 crost concealod by the tips of the feathers; primaries normal; scales of the upper part of 

 the tarsus usually continuing only to the middle of the outer face, and a second series 

 opposite to them behind. 



1. Tail lengthened ; about equal to the wings, which reach scarcely to the middle. 

 Uyiarchns. Tarsus equal to the middle toe, which is decidedly longer than the 

 hinder one. Tail even or rounded. Throat pale ash, rest of lower parts yellow 

 generally, the primaries edged with rufouB,andinner webs of tail-feathers with 

 more or less of the same color. Nest in a cavity of a tree, of loose material; 

 eggs whitish, with intricate tangled lines and streaks of dark brown, the gen- 

 eral effect salmon-color. 



Sayomia, Tarsus rather longer than the middle toe, which is scarcely longer 

 than the hind toe. Tail slightly forked. Bill very narrow. No light orbital 

 ring. nor distinct bands on wings; both mandibles black. Nest attached to 

 rocks or parts of buildings, very compact and bulky, containing much mud in 

 its composition; eggs pure white, immaculate, or with very minute sparse 

 dots near larger end. 

 1 Tail decidedly shorter than the wings, which reach beyond its middle. Tarsus 

 shorter than the middle toe. 



Contopna. Hind toe much longer than the lateral. Tail considerably forked. 

 Wings long, pointed; much longer than the tail, reaching beyond the middle of 

 the latter; first quill about equal to the fourth. Bill broad. Color olive-gray, 

 and white, sometimes with a yellowish tinge beneath. Lower mandible pale 

 colored. Nest saucer-shaped, compact, and very small, saddled very securely 

 upon a thick branch; eggs cream-colored, with a zone of lilac and rich brown 

 blotches round the large end. 

 3. Tail shorter than the wings, as in the last. Tarsus considerably longer than 

 the middle toe; hind toe much longer than the lateral. Tail nearly even, some- 

 times slightly rounded, but little shorter than the wings; first primary much 

 shorter than the fourth. 



Empidonax. Head moderately crested; tail about even. Bristles of bill reach- 

 ing about half way to tip. Legs stout. A oonspieuous light orbital ring, and 

 distinct band, on the wing. More or less tinged with sulphur-yellow on lower 

 parts. Nest variously constructed, deeply cup-shaped, compact or loose, en- 

 tirely of either grassy or fibrous and downy material, and fixed to slender 

 twigs or lodged in a crotch between thick branches; eggs white, immaculate, 

 or with blotches of brown round larger end. 



Genus TYRANNUS Cu\ter. 



Tyrannux CuvTEB,Lei;ons Anat. Comp. 1799. abl. li. Type,ianiu,s tyrannus Linn. 



Gen. Chak. Tyrant-birds of large medium, or rather small size, with strong, conical 

 bills, strongly bristled rictus,even,emarginated, or slightly rounded tail, and the ends of 

 the outer primaries abruptly narrowed. Crown with a concealed colored crest (red, 

 orange, or yellow); plumage without streaks or bars. 



The above brief diagnosis, although imperfect, will suffice to dis- 

 tinguish the members of Tyrannus from those of alUed genera. 

 Milvulus agrees in the attenuation of the outer primaries, the colored 

 crest, and many other features, but the tail is excessively forked, 

 the lateral feathers twice, or more, as long as the midiUe pair. 

 Pitangus is also quite similar in many respects, but has the bill 



