Bill short, or of moderate length, rather slender, somewhat conical, considerably broader than high at the base, gradually compressed toward the end; upper mandible with its dorsal outline straight until near the end, the point very narrow, the notches very slight; lower mandible with the angle rather short and narrow, the dorsal line straight, the edges somewhat involute, the tip acute. Head moderate, ovate; neck short; body rather slender. Feet of moderate length; tarsus longer than the middle toe, slender, much compressed, with eight anterior scutella, of which the upper are blended; toes rather small, or of moderate size, hind toe proportionally stout, outer adherent for a short way at the base; claws moderate, much compressed, arched, acute. Plumage generally soft and blended. Wings of moderate length. Tail of moderate length, of twelve feathers. Tongue of moderate length, sagittate, tapering. Œsophagus of moderate width, without dilatation, proventriculus bulbiform; stomach of moderate size, roundish or elliptical, moderately muscular, with the muscles distinct; epithelium dense, longitudinally rugous; intestine short, rather wide; cœca very small; cloaca oblong. Trachea simple; with four pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles.
GENUS I. MYIODIOCTES, Aud. FLYCATCHING-WARBLER.
Bill of moderate length, stoutish, straight, considerably broader than high, compressed toward the end; upper mandible with the ridge distinct, the dorsal line convex toward the end, the edges sharp and overlapping, with a very faint notch close to the slightly deflected tip; lower mandible with the ridge indistinct, the sides rounded, the edges somewhat involute, the tip narrow, not ascending. Nostrils basal, oblong. Head ovate, of moderate size; neck short; body rather slender. Feet of moderate length; tarsus pretty stout, much compressed; scutella blended, excepting the lower three; toes of moderate length, very slender, the hind toe proportionally large, the third and fourth united at the base, all scutellate. Claws moderate, extremely compressed, well arched, very acute. Bristles at the base of the bill elongated but slender. Wings of moderate length, the second and third quills longest, the first scarcely shorter than the fourth. Tail moderate, slightly rounded. Name from [Greek: Myia], an insect, [Greek: Diôchtês], a pursuer.
71. 1. Myiodioctes mitratus, Lath. Hooded Flycatching-Warbler.—Hooded Flycatcher. Hooded Warbler.
Plate CX. Male and Female. Plate IX. Young.
Third quill longest, second longer than fourth, which slightly exceeds the first; tail slightly emarginate and rounded. Male with the forehead, sides of the head, breast, sides, abdomen, lower wing and tail coverts, rich pure yellow; hind head and neck all round black; upper parts yellowish-olive; wings and tail dusky brown, margined with yellowish-olive, an oblique patch of white on the inner webs of the three outer tail-coverts. Female with the forehead, the sides of the head, the throat, and all the lower parts yellow, the hind part of the head dusky, the upper part as in the male. Young similar to the female, but with the tints a little duller.
Male, 51/2, 8.
From Texas to Virginia. In the interior, as far as Memphis on the Mississippi. Rather common. Migratory.