BASILEUTERUS. 



241 



There are, however, so many intermediate grades between the two 

 extremes as to render inexpedient any attempt at specific separation. 

 Specimens in the collection from many localities throughout the 

 United States from Atlantic to Pacific ; also — 



Myiodioctes minutus. 



Muscicapa minuta, Wilson, Am. Orn. VI, 1812, 62, pi. 1, fig. 5. — Aud. 



Orn. Biog. V, pi. 434, fig. 3.— Is. B. A. I, pi. 67.— Sylvia minuta, 



Bon. — Wilsonia m. Bon. List, 1838. 

 Sylvania pumilia, Ndit. Man. 1, 1840, 334. 

 Bah. Eastern United States. 



This species continues to be unknown to modern ornithologists — no 

 specimens being recorded as extant in collections. 



BASILEUTERUS, Cabanis. 



Basileuterus, Cab. 



Basileuterus, Cab. Sohombnrgk's Reise Br. Guiana, III, 1848, 666. (Type 

 Sylvia vermivora, Vieillot.) (See antea, page 237.) 



Bill broad at the base and nnioh depressed, but thick ; the culmen curved 

 gently from the base, the commissure curved for most of its extent. Rictal 

 bristles variable, but reaching about half way from the nostrils to tip of bill. 

 The tail is slightly emarginated, and only a little rounded, the lateral feather 

 sometimes rather graduated, the feathers rather narrow. Wing about equal 

 to the tall, rounded ; 4th quill longest, 1st about equal to the 8th. Toes 

 rather shorter than in Myiodioctes, the middle without its claw nearly two- 

 thirds the tarsus. 



There is a good deal of variation in the size of bill and other 

 features, with different species ; but the broad decurved bill, nearly 

 even narrow tail with the lateral feather more or less graduated, 

 wings equal to the tail and much rounded, the 1st quill equal to the 8th 



16 May, 1865. 



