80 TTEAKNID^. 



elongated, the outer web of the external rectrices is white, and its general coloration 

 are all points wherein it differs from Mitrephanes phcBOcercus, the type of Mitrephanes. 



CONTOPUS. 



Contopus, Cabanis, J. f. Orn. 1855, p. 479 (type Muscicapa virens, Linn.) ; Scl. Cat. Birds Brit. 



Mus. xiv. p. 234. 

 Nuttallornis, Ridgway, Man. N. Am. B. p. 337 (type Tyrannus borealis, Sw.). 



This is also one of the obscure genera of Tyrannidse, some of the species of the 

 C. virens group being exceedingly difficult to define. Others, again, are well-marked 

 and easily distinguished. Mr. Sclater recognizes nine species of Contopus, but there are 

 several others the status of which he was unable to establish. 



In our region we find eight species, whereof three are migratory, spending their 

 breeding-season in North America. 



The type of Contopus {C. virens) is very like several species of Mnpidonas, but larger 

 and always to be distinguished by its proportionally shorter tarsi. The form of the 

 bill, the supranasal feathers, &c. are much the same in both genera, as are also the 

 proportions of the wings and tail. 



C. borealis departs from the type in being a larger, stouter bird, with a much stouter 

 bill and shorter tail. C. musicus is also different in other ways, the tail being long and 

 somewhat forked. Both these sections are also marked by having a large white patch 

 on the flanks on either side, but this is also present in a less degree in C. virens. 



a. Species majores. 

 a'. Abdomen in medio album. 



1. Contopus borealis. 



Tyrannus borealis, Sw. Faun. Bor.-Am. ii. p. 141, t. 85 ' ; Salv. Ibis, 1866, p. 203 \ 



Contopus borealis, Baird, B. N. Am. p. 188'; Lawr. Ann. Lye. N. Y. ix. p. 115*; Bull. U. S. Nat. 



Mus. no. 4, p. 27'; Saly. P. Z. S. 1870, p. 199"; Baird, Brew., & Ridgw. N. Am. B. ii. 



p. 353'; Coues, Birds N. W. p. 243 %■ Key N. Am. B. ed. 2, p. 438'; Perez, Bull. U. S. 



Nat. Mus. ix. p. 156"; Tacz. Orn. P^r. ii. p. 316"; Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. p. 337"; 



Scl. Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. xiv. p. 234 ". 

 Muscicapa pooperi, Nutt. Man. i. p. 282 ". 

 Tyrannus cooperi, Scl. P. Z. S. 1856, p. 297 ". 

 Contopus cooperi, Cab. J. f. Orn. 1861, p. 248'°. 



Muscicapa mesoleuca, Licht. Preis-Verz. mex. Vog. p. 2 (cf. J. f. Orn. 1863, p. 58) ? ". 

 Contopus mesoleucus, Scl. P. Z. S. 1859, p. 43"; Scl. & Salv. Ibis, 1859, p. 122"; Sumichrast 



Mem. Bost. Soc. N. H. i. p. 557 '\ 



Supra bnmneo-ardesiacus ; eapite obscuriore ; alls et Cauda nigricantibus ; alarum tectricibus pallide fusco 

 terminatis, seeundariis internis extrorsum albido limbatis : subtus medialifcer albus ; abdomine vix flavo 

 tincto ; hypochondriis plaga magna alba notatis : rostri maxilla nigricante, mandibula flava ; pedibus nigris. 



