428 



SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS.— PASSESES— CLAMATOBES. 



Fig. 278. —Bill of a 

 Flycatcher (Tyrannus 

 verticalis, nat. size). 



20. Family TYRANNID^ : American Flycatchers. 



While having a close general resemblance to some of the foregoing 

 insectivorous and oscine Passeres, the North American representatives of 

 this family will be instantly distinguished by the above-described condi- 

 tion of the tarsus ; together with the presence of 10 primaries, whereof 

 the 1st is long or longest. From the birds of the following Picarian 

 order by the Passerine characters of twelve rectriees, greater wing-cov- 

 erts not more than half as long as the secondaries, and hind claw not 

 smaller than the middle claw. • 



This family is peculiar to America ; it is one of the most extensive 

 and characteristic groups of its grade in. the New World, the Tanagridm and Troehilidm alone 

 approaching it in these respects. There are over 400 current species, distributed among about 

 100 genera and subgenera. As well as I can judge at present, at least two-thirds of the species 

 are valid, or very strongly marked geographical races, the remainder being about equally 

 divided between slight varieties and mere synonyms. Only a small fragment of the family is 

 represented within our limits, giving but a vague idea of the numerous and singularly diver- 

 sified forms abounding in tropical America. Some of these grade so closely toward other 

 families, that a strict definition of the Tyrannidce becomes extremely diflicult ; and I am not 

 prepared to ofier a satisfactory diagnosis of the whole group. Our species, however, are closely 



related to each other, and may readily be defined in a manner 

 answering the requirements of the present volume. With a 

 possible exception, not necessary to insist upon in this connec- 

 tion, they belong to the 



29. Subfamily TYRANNIN/E: True Tyrant 

 Flycatchers, 



presenting the following characters : Wing of 10 primaries, 

 the 1st never spurious nor very short ; one or more frequently 

 emarginate or attenuate on the inner web near the end. Tail 

 of 12 rectriees, usually nearly even, sometimes deeply forficatc. 

 Feet small, weak, exclusively fitted for perching ; tarsus little 

 if any longer than middle toe and claw ; anterior toes, espe- 

 cially the outer, extensively coherent at base. Bill very broad 

 and more or less depressed at base, tapering to a fine point, 

 thus presenting a more or less perfectly triangular outline when 

 viewed from above ; tip abruptly deflected and usually plainly 

 notched just behind the bend ; culmen smooth and rounded 

 transversely, straight or nearly so lengthwise, except towards 

 the end ; commissure straight (or slightly curved) except at 

 the end ; gonys long, flat, not keeled. Nostrils small, circular, 

 strictly basal, overhung but not concealed by bristles. Mouth 

 capacious, its roof somewhat excavated ; rictus ample and 

 deeply cleft ; commissural point almost beneath anterior bor- 

 der of eye. Rictus beset with a number of long stiff vibrissfe, 

 sometimes reaching nearly to end of bill; generally shorter. 

 Fig. 27!>. - Emargliiation of pri- ^^^ flaring outward on each side : other bristles or bristle- 

 fyrficatus;b. Tt/rannuscaroUnensis; tipped feathers about base of bill. BiU very light, giving a 

 c. Tyrawms verticalis; d. Tyran- resonant sound in dried specimens when tapped, and on beiiii; 

 nat del E™C.V ^ ' broken open, the upper mandible will be found extensively 



