424 COMMON PEWEE FLYCATCHER. 



The bronchi are wide, and of about 12 half rings. The lateral and 

 stemo-tracheal muscles are very slender ; the inferior laryngeal form 

 on each side a short thick pad, which is not divisible into distinct por- 

 tions, as it is in the singing birds. In another individual, the inferior 

 laryngeal muscles were extremely thin, as if atrophied. 



COMMON PEWEE FLYCATCHER. 



MVSCICAPA FUSCA, BoNAP. 

 PLATE CXX. Vol. II. p. 222. 



Although this interesting and well-known species is found in 

 every portion of the United States, from the Columbia River to our 

 Atlantic coasts, no mention is made of it as occurring in the Fur 

 Countries. I have found it in Labrador, and in the Texas, in both 

 which countries it breeds. The eggs are six-eighths of an inch in 

 length, five-eighths in breadth, and are broadly rounded at the larger 

 end. Dr T. M. Brewer states, that " although not on Professor 

 Emmon's List, it is one of the most common birds in Massachusetts, 

 and its nests are to be found in abundance from the end of May until 

 late in July. The materials of which the nest is composed vary con- 

 siderably, but fine grass is generally used. In one instance I found it 

 formed entirely of down, with a few straws to keep it in shape." The 

 eggs are uniformly pure white. 



The following characters presented by the digestive organs and 

 trachea are common to all the North American small Flycatchers, vary- 

 ing only in their relative dimensions. The roof of the mouth is flat 

 and somewhat diaphanous ; its anterior part with three prominent lines, 

 the palate with longitudinal ridges ; the posterior aperture of the nares 

 linear-oblong, margined with papillae. The tongue is 4^ twelfths 

 long, rather broad, very thin, emarginate and papillate at the base, the 

 tip slit. The mouth is rather wide, measuring 4| twelfths across. 

 There is a very narrow oblong salivary gland in the usual place, and 

 opening by three ducts. The oesophagus is 2 inches 1 twelfth long, 

 2\ twelfths wide, without dilatation. The stomach is rather small, 6 



