54 MANUAL 



The young student will have his hands full if he attempts 

 to follow the synonymy of the genera and species of this or of 

 any other large family of North American Birds. The ques- 

 tion of to-day is, what is ? not so much what used to be f 



Sub-family b ICTERIIN-ffi Chats 



This sub-family seems to be framed for one genus and two 

 species. It has been, by some authorities, put with ihe War- 

 blers, from which it differs in its large size, huge bill (for a 

 warbler), long and rather broad tail, short wings, and absence 

 of rictal bristles of any kind. The commissure is strongly 

 curved, and the whole bill much compressed. It is different 

 from any of the other members of the family, and really ought 

 to stand apart from them. It might, with propriety, be called 

 the " Mountain Warbler." Excepting the bill, it much re- 

 sembles a very large Geothlypis. It is, however, a true War- 

 bler and has usually been always classed with the Warblers. 



Genus, Icteria, (2 species). 



Sub-family c SETOFHAG-INAE Flycatching 

 Warblers 



The Flycatching Warblers are at once distinguished from 

 the True or Wood Warblers. Their name implies their dif- 

 ference, which is especially noticeable in the shape and size of 

 the bill. In size they resemble the True Warblers, as also in 

 shape and general appearance of the wings and tail. The 

 nostrils are, however, quite covered by the long bristles at the 

 base of the bill, the tip of which is strongly hooked and 

 notched. The base of the bill is depressed and broad, some- 

 what like that of a flycatcher, and reminding one strongly of 

 that bird. To a novice the illusion is complete, especially 

 when these birds are actively employed in catching insects. 

 Yet they are, except in this one particular, warblers strictly, 

 and have nearly all of the characteristics of True Warblers. 

 The Setophaginse have been placed in various relations with 

 the other birds of the family, though recent writers agree, 

 pretty generally, in placing them after the leteriince. 



