330 SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — PASSERES—OSCINES. 



which the 1st is short (one-half to one-fourth the second), or spurious, or apparently wanting 

 (being rudimentary and displaced). Size small, under 7 inches; coloration simple, mostly and 

 oftenest greenish ; young not spotted or streaked. 



This family was formerly united with the next {LaniidiE), chiefly on account of the 

 resemblance in the shape of the bill of certain species to that of the shrikes ; but the likeness 

 is never perfect, and there are other more important characters, especially in the structure of 

 the feet, by which the two groups may be discriminated. The Vireonid/s are peculiar to 

 America ; tliey are a small family of five or six genera and nearly seventy recorded species, 

 of which about five-sixths appear to be genuine. The typical and principal genus, Vireo, con- 

 taining nearly thirty species, is especially characteristic of North America, though several species 

 occur in the West Indies and Central America; one genus and species, Laletes osburni, is 

 exclusively West Indian ; the rest — Cyclarhis, HyhpJulus, Yireolanius, and NeocMoe — are, 

 with one exception. South and Central American. In further Illustration of the characters of 

 the group, I oiler some remarks under the head of the only genus with which we have to do in 

 the present connection. 

 59. VIR'EO. (Lat. vireo, I am green or flourishing.) Greexlets. Bill like that of a shrike 

 in miniature, moderately or very stout, shorter tlian the head, compressed at least toward the 

 end, distinctly hooked and notched at the tip, sometimes with trace of a tooth behind the notch 

 of the upper mandible, and usually a nick in the under mandible too. Eictal bristles con- 

 spicuous, and others present among tlie frontal and mental feathers. Nasal fossae nearly filled 

 with short erect featliers. Toes extensively coherent at base, as explained under head of the 

 famUy ; lateral toes of unequal lengths ; claws stout, narrowly compressed, much curved and 

 acute. Wings at least as long as the tail, more or less rounded ; sometimes much longer and 

 quite pointed ; of 10 primaries, the 1st usually evident, though short and spurious, but some- 

 times (in the section Vireosylvia and in Fi>eo^nt'i/co)is) rudimentary and more or less com- 

 pletely concealed I exceptionally obvious even in these species). TaU short, even, of narrow 

 feathers. Size small ; length usually five or six inches. Coloration simple ; above olivaceous 

 or grayish, the crown like the back, or ashy (in one case brown, in another black), the uuder 

 parts white, or white and yellow, or partly olivaceous. Sexes quite indistinguishable ; young 

 simOar, not spotted or streaked. Migi'atory in X. Am. Insectivorous, arboricole. Nest pen- 

 dulous ; eggs white, spotted. 



The numerous species of this genus have been divided into several groups, but no violence 

 will be done by considering them all as Vireo — in fact, it is difficult to do otherwise. For 

 even the seemingly substantial divisitm into two genera, according as there is an evident 

 spurious 1st primary or apparently none, separates species, like gilviis and philadelpliicus, 

 hardly otherwise specifically distinguishable ; while another division into two genera, according 

 to the shape of the wings and length of the spurious 1st prhnary or its absence, is subject to 

 some uncertainty of determination, and unites species, like olivaceus and Jiavifrons, most dis- 

 similar in other respects. The fact is, that almost every single species of Vireo has its o\vn 

 peculiar form, in shape of bill, proportions of primaries, etc., and these details cannot well be 

 considered as of more than specific value. These slight differences are perfectly tangible and 

 sui-prisingly constant, rendering the determination of the species comparatively easy, though 

 these birds bear to each other a close general resemblance in size and color. They are all more 

 or less olivaceous above, sometimes inclining to gray or plumbeous, with the crown either like 

 the back, or else ashy, — in one species, however, brown, and in another black ; and white or 

 wliitish below, usually more or less tinged with yellow. The coloratinn is very constant, the 

 sexes being indistinguishable, and the young difiering little, if at all, from the adults. All are 

 small birds, — about 5 or 6 inches long. As a group the student will probably have no dilfi- 

 culty in recognizing them by the foregoing diagnosis, as the character of the feet seems to be 

 peculiar, among N. Am. birds, and is at any rate diagnostic when taken in connection with the 



