BIKDS — TYKANNINAE — EMPIDONAX. 



191 



of this species is very broad. The tail is moderately forked ; the feathers broad, with sides nearly 

 parallel, becoming scarcely dilated from the base to the end. The feet are very short. The 

 ■wing is very long and pointed, reaching considerably beyond the middle of the tail, and beyond 

 the tail coverts. The proportions of the quills vary^ although the second is always a little 

 longer than the third. The first is generally a little shorter than the fourth ; sometimes about 

 equal, and .25 of an inch shorter than the second. The under tail coverts are much tinged 

 with brown in their median region. 



In No. 1632 the first quill is proportionably shorter ; the fourth longer than as described ; 

 the third quill slightly longest. The relative proportion of the first to the fourth, in fact, varies 

 a good deal, but the first always considerably exceeds the fifth. 



I have seen no specimen of this species from the region west of the Missouri plains, except 

 two in Lieutenant Williamson's collection marked Sacramento valley by Dr. Heermann. All 

 •■ those of the same type belong to a different though closely allied species, and it is most proba- 

 ble that some mistake may have occurred in the locality. Dr. Heermann, in his notes on Birds 

 of California, refers to supposed specimens of Tyrannula virens as being all darker than eastern 

 ones, evidently having the richardsonii in view. 



List of specimens. 



EMPIDONAX, Cabanis. - 



EmpiAonax, Cabanis, Journal fiir Ornithologie, III, Nov. 1855, 480, (type Tj/ronnuZapusiHo.) 

 TyraKMila of most authors . 



Ch. ^Tarsus lengthened, considerably longer than the middle toe, which is decidedly longer than the hind toe. Bill 



■variable. Tail very slightly forked, even, or rounded ; a little shorter only than the wings, which are considerably rounded ; 

 the first primary much shorter than the fourth. Head moderately crested. Color olivaceous above, yellowish beneath ; throat 

 generally gray. 



The lengthened tarsi, the short toes, the short and rounded wings, and the plain dull 



