Page:Ornithological biography, or an account of the habits of the birds of the United States of America, vol 2.djvu/431

Rh collegians, aftei- they were apprised that the species had not previously been found in the State. It thus furnishes another of the now numerous instances of new species entering the Union from the south, to increase our Fauna, and enliven our hours.

The branch on which I have represented a Male in full plumage, is that of a species rather rare on the Florida Keys, although, as I was as- sured, it abounds in Cuba. It blooms during the season when this bird builds its nest. The flower is destitute of scent ; the fruit is a long narrow legume, containing numerous seeds, placed at eq^ual distances.

Le Tyran de S. DoMiNiauE,TYEANNUs dominicensis, firm. vol. ii. p. 394. pi. 38. fig. 2.

Lanius tyrannus, var. /3, Lath. Ind. Ornith. vol. i. p. 81.

Tyranntts griseus, Vieill. Ois. d'Amer. pi. 46.

Adult Male. Plate CLXX.

Bill rather long, stout, straight, broad at the base, a little compressed towards the end ; both mandibles with the dorsal hne a little convex, the sides rounded, the edges nearly straight, sharp, inclinate ; a slight notch close to the small deflected tip. Nostrils basal, lateral, roundish, partly covered by the bristly feathers. Head rather large, neck short, body rather slender. Feet short ; tarsus compressed, covered anteriorly with a few very broad scutella ; toes of moderate size, the hind one not propor- tionally stronger, the inner a little shorter than the outer ; claws rather long, arched, much compressed, very acute.

Plumage soft and blended, with httle gloss. Strong bristles at the base of the upper mandible. Wings rather long, third quill longest, but the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth differ very little in length ; the first is the next in length, and is much longer than the seventh ; all these quills, excepting the last, are slightly cut out on the outer web, and are suddenly diminished on the inner, near the end, so as to have a very nar- row rounded extremity. Tail rather long, emarginate, of twelve rounded feathers.

Bill and feet brownish-black. Iris dark hazel. Upper parts in general dull ash-grey, shaded with brown posteriorly, a concealed spot of flame colour on the top of the head, which is perceptible only when the feathers are raised. Coverts, quills, and tail-feathers dusky brown, all more or less margined with brownish-white. The lower parts are greyish-white,