LANIAD^E. 141 



[32.] 2. Tyrannus borealis. (Swainson.) Northern Tyrant. 



Sub-family, Tyranninse. Swains. Genus, Tyrannus. Brisson. Swains. 



Ch. Sp. Tyrannus borealis, super xerampelinus : alls cauddque forficata obscurioribus, crista ineumbente conco- 

 lori, mente ventre et tectricibus caudce inferioribus pallide flavescentibus, mandibuld inferiori pallescenti, 

 tarsis brevibus. 



Sp. Ch. Northern Tyrant, above, dark greyish-brown ; wings and forked tail nearly blackish-brown ; no flame- 

 coloured spot on the crown ; under plumage mostly greyish-yellow ; inferior mandible pale ; tarsi short. 



Plate xxxv. The Female. 



Of this species, which is believed to be hitherto undescribed, only one specimen 

 was procured. It was shot on the banks of the Saskatchewan as it was flying 

 near the ground ; but no information was obtained respecting its habits or nidifi- 

 cation. Like the King-bird, it is found in the fur-countries only in summer. It is 

 a considerably smaller species than the Tyrannus intrepidus, and may be at once 

 distinguished from it by the forked tail not tipped with white, and much shorter 

 tarsi, as well as by very evident differences in the colours of the plumage. Its 

 bill is rather more depressed at the base, and its lower mandible is dissimilar in 

 colour to the upper one, and is larger than that of T. intrepidus. The relative 

 lengths of the quill feathers of the two species are also different ; the first of T. 

 borealis being rather longer than the third, and the fourth being farther apart from 

 the latter than in T. intrepidus. 



DESCRIPTION 

 Of a female, killed at Cumberland House, lat. 54°. 



Colour of the head, back, and lesser wing and tail coverts dark hair-brown ; of the quill 

 feathers and tail dark-umber or blackish-brown. The margins of the greater coverts are 

 paler ; and the secondaries are slightly edged at the tip with soiled white. Under surface. — 

 The throat, belly, and under tail coverts are very pale greyish-yellow. The flanks and wing 

 linings are broccoli-brown, and the breast exhibits that colour, with a tinge of the yellowish 

 hue of the belly. The bill is shining blackish-brown above, and dull brownish-yellow beneath, 

 with an umber-coloured tip. 



Form, &c. — The shape of the bill is very nearly the same as that of the King-bird, and it 

 is similarly furnished with bristles at the base. The tips of the folded wings are rather more 

 than an inch shorter than the end of the tail. The second quill feather is the longest ; the first 



