BIKDS SYLVICOLIDAE HELMITHEKUS. 
251 
Section Vermivoreae. 
B:ll entirely without notch, and with no rictal bristles. Legs variable. 
The following genera compose this section : 
Helmitherus. — Bill stout, only moderately acute, nearly as long as the head, and on a line 
with the forehead. Middle toe as long as the short tarsus. Colors plain ; no white on the tail. 
Helminthopiiaga. — Bill slender, excessively acute, shorter than the head. Tarsus considerably 
longer than the middle toe. Tail feathers sometimes with a white patch. 
Comparative measurements of species. 
Slretch 
of wings 
.Wing. Tail. 
is claw 
alone 
Bill Along 
above, gape. 
29U1 
2229 
•408 
10156 
1917 
2903 
10158 
2929 
2238 
2237 
Helmilherus vennivorus . Carlisle, Ta. 
do do.. 
Charleston, S. C. 
Carlisle, Pa .... 
do 
Helminthopiiaga solitaria 
do chrysopterus 
.do do..., 
.do bachmani.. 
.do ....peregrina., 
.do celata 
.do ruficapilla. 
.do do.... 
Union county, III 
Charleston, S. C 
Cairo, III 
Columbia river. . 
Carlisle, Pa 
4.74 
5.41 
5.50 
4 04 
4.50 
5.06 
2.92 
2.74 
2.38 
2.30 
2.51 
2.34 
2.46 
2.50 
2.43 
2.46 
2.31 
0.56 
0.64 
0.52 
0.54 
Dry..., 
Fresh , 
Dry.... 
Dry..., 
Dry.. ., 
Dry.. ., 
Dry 
Dry.... 
Dry.... 
Dry 
Dry.... 
Dry.... 
HELMITHERUS, Eaf. 
Helmitherus, Rafinesqtje, Journal de Physique, LXXXV1II, 1819, 417. Type Motacilla vermivora. 
Vermivora, Swainson, Zool. Jour. IV, 1827, 170, (not of Meter, 1822.) 
Helinaia, Aud. Synopsis, 1839, 66. Type Sylvia swainsoni, Aud. 
Ch. — Bill large and stout, compressed, almost tanagrine ; nearly or quite as long as the head. Culmenvery slightly 
curved ; gonys straight ; no notch in the bill ; rictal bristles wanting. Tarsi short, but little longer, if any, than the middle 
toe. Tail considerably shorter than the wings ; rather rounded. Wings ralher long, the first quill a little shorter than the 
second and third. 
The birds of this division are very plain in their colors, more so than any other American 
warblers. There are but two species referrible to the genus, of which the H. swainsoni differs from 
the type in having a considerably longer and more compressed bill, the ridge of which is com- 
pressed, elevated, and appears to extend backwards on the forehead, as well as to be in a straight 
line with the upper part of the bead. The wings are longer ; the tail forked, not rounded ; the 
feathers narrower and more pointed ; the tarsi shorter than in the type. It is quite possible that 
systematic writers may hereafter find it necessary to erect this form into a distinct genus or 
sub-genus to be called Helinaia. 
Synopsis of the species. 
Colors plain. Above olivaceous, beneath nearly white. No spots or bands on wing or tail. 
Above olive green. Head yellowish, with two black stripes above aud one behind the 
eye. Tail rounded H. vermivorus. 
Above dull olive green, tinged with brown. Stripes on the head somewhat as in the last, 
but reddish brown ; the median light stripe on the crown scarcely visible. Tail 
slightly forked H. swmnsom. 
