MNIOTILTIDA, — CLXXIII. 297 
the Warblers are pleasing songsters, but none exhibit any remark- 
able powers in that line. The name “ Warbler” comes from their 
resemblance to the warblers of Europe (Sylviid@) and not from 
any distinguished musical quality of their own. All are insectivo- 
rous and migratory. 
This family consists of more than 100 species, all American. 
The Mniotiltide grade perfectly into the Cerebide and Tanagride, 
and the last as perfectly into the Fringillide. Convenience is the 
only excuse for retaining any of these groups as distinct families. 
a. Bill not depressed and fly-catcher-like; rictal bristles if present scarcely 
reaching beyond nostrils. 
6, Bill rather slender, little compressed; (small birds; length less than 64). 
d. Hind toe with cluw very long, as long as tarsus in front; claw of 
middle toe in same line as axis of the toe; (color black and white, 
no yellow), . . . » « « Mytoriztra, 507. 
dd. Hind toe with claw much shorter ee naked portion of tarsus in 
front; claw of middle toe (seen from above) set obliquely to axis 
of the toe. 
e. Middle toe with claw not shorter than tarsus; (no white wing bars); 
bill rather long. 
J. (fail feathers blotched with white.) . . PRroronorTarta, 508. 
Jf. (Tail feathers without white.) 
g- Bill very much compressed; culmen straight, with a ridge 
at base. . + HEvtnata, 509. 
gg. Bill slightly ‘compressed; culmen gently curved, the ‘basal 
portion not ridged. . . . a HELMITHERUS, 510. 
ee. Middle toe with claw decidedly shocter than naked portion of 
tarsus in front (except in Dendroica dominica, a species with 
white wing bars). 
h, Rictus without bristles; bill very acute, scarcely notched ; (tail 
feathers with or without white), HeLmMrnrHopHaaa, 511. 
hh. Rictus with bristles. 
2. Tail scarcely rounded, usually much shorter than wing; 
(tail blotched with white or with the inner web bright 
yellow; legs and feet moderate, usually dark colored). 
j- Hind toe evidently longer than its claw; bill acute, not 
notched. . . . . . Paruna, 512. 
jj. Hind toe scarcely longer than its claw; bill usnally 
not very acute, and with a slight notch toward its 
i «+ . . Denprorca, 513. 
ti. Tail usually more or r less rounded, not very much shorter 
than wing; legs and feet strong, usually pale; (no white 
or bright yellow on tail feathers). 
k. (Lower parts much streaked.) . . Srrurus, 514. 
kk. (Lower parts not streaked.). . GEoOTHLYPIS, 515. 
bb. Bill stout, much compressed, its greatest depth half its length from nos- 
tril to tip; outer side of tarsus smooth on its upper half; tail longer 
than wings; bill without notch or bristles; (large, more than 7). Chats. 
IcTertA, 516. 
aa. Bill depressed, broader than deep at base, notched and slightly hooked, 
with strong rictal bristles about half the length of bill; length 53 or less. 
Fly-catching Warblers. 
