TYRANNIDiE — THE FLYCATCHERS. 
TYRANNI Size large ; colors generally brilliant ; crown with a brightly 
colored crest, usually concealed ; outer primaries abruptly contracted or attenu- 
ated near the tip ; upper scales of tarsus usually continuing round on the outside 
and behind. Nest in trees, very bulky, containing much downy material; eggs 
white or pinkish, with ovate dots of rich brown, of various shades. 
Milvulus. Tail excessively forked and lengthened ; more than twice 
as long as the wings. (Page 84.) 
Tyrannus. Tail moderate ; nearly even or slightly forked ; less than 
the wings. (Page 84.) 
TYRANNULI. Size generally small ; colors usually plain ; crown without 
any colored crest concealed by the tips of the feathers ; primaries normal ; scales 
of the upper part of the tarsus usually continuing only to the middle of the 
outer face, and a second series opposite to them behind. 
1. Tail lengthened ; about equal to the wings, which reach scarcely to its 
middle. 
Myiarchus. Tarsus equal to the middle toe, which is decidedly longer 
than the hinder one. Tail even or rounded. Throat pale ash, rest of 
lower parts yellow generally, the primaries edged with rufous, and 
inner webs of tail-feathers with more or less of the same color. Nest 
generally in the hollow of a tree or stump, of loose material, frequently 
consisting in part of shed skins of snakes. Eggs buff, thickly covered 
with hair lines or blotchings running from one pole to another, of a 
purplish shade. (Page 85.) 
Sayornis. Tarsus rather longer than the middle toe, which is scarcely 
longer than the hind toe. Tail slightly forked. Bill very narrow. No 
light orbital ring, nor distinct bands on wings ; both mandibles black. 
Nest attached to rocks or parts of buildings, very compact and bulky, 
containing much mud in its composition ; eggs pure white, immaculate, 
or with very minute sparse dots near larger end. (Page 85.) 
2. Tail decidedly shorter than the wings, which reach beyond its middle. 
Tarsus shorter than the middle toe. 
Contopus. Hind toe much longer than the lateral. Tail considerably 
forked. Wings long, pointed; much longer than the tail, reaching be- 
yond the middle of the latter ; first quill about equal to the fourth. Bill 
broad. Color olive-gray, and white, sometimes with a yellowish tinge 
beneath. Lower mandible pale-colored. Nest saucer-shaped, compact, 
and very small, saddled very securely upon a thick branch ; eggs cream- 
colored, with a zone of lilac and rich brown blotches round the larger end. 
(Page 85.) 
3. Tail shorter than the wings, as in the last. Tarsus considerably longer 
than the middle toe ; hind toe much longer than lateral. Tail nearly even, 
sometimes slightly rounded, but little shorter than the wings ; first primary 
much shorter than the fourth. 
Empidonax. Head moderately crested ; tail about even. Bristles of 
bill reaching about half-way to tip. Legs stout. A conspicuous light 
orbital ring, and distinct bands on the wing. More or less tinged 
with sulphur-yellow on lower parts. Nest variously constructed, 
deeply cup-shaped, compact or loose, entirely of either grassy or fibrous, 
and downy material, and fixed to slender twigs or lodged in a crotch 
between thick branches ; eggs white, immaculate, or with blotches of 
brown round larger end. (Page 86.) 
Mitrephorus. Head decidedly crested. Tail forked. Bristles of bill 
