_Toxostoma_, WAGLER, Isis, 1831, 528. (Type _T. vetula_, WAGL., not
_Toxostoma_, RAF. 1816.)
_Harpes_, GAMBEL, Pr. A. N. S. Phila. II. 1845, 264. (Type _Harpes
redivivus_, GAMB., not of GOLDFUSS, 1839.)
_Harporhynchus_, CABANIS, Archiv f. Naturg. 1848, I. 98. (Type
_Harpes redivivus_, GAMB.)
_Methriopterus_, REICH. Av. Syst. Nat. 1850, pl. iv. (Type said by
Gray to be _H. rufus_.)
[Line drawing: _Harporhynchus rufus._
2261]
GEN. CHAR. Bill from forehead as long as, or much longer than the
head; becoming more and more decurved in both jaws as lengthened. No
indication of a notch. Rictus with the bristles extending beyond the
nostrils. Tarsus long and stout, appreciably exceeding the middle toe
and claw, strongly scutellate anteriorly. Wings considerably shorter
than tail, much rounded; the first quill more than half the second;
fourth or fifth longest. Tail large, much graduated; the feathers
firm.
The species of this genus are all of large size, in fact, embracing
the largest of the American slender-billed oscine birds. All the
species differ in structure, varying especially in the length of the
bill, as above stated.
[Illustration: _Harporhynchus rufus._]
It is useless to attempt a division of this genus, for there is such a
gradual chain of characters between the two extremes of form (_rufus_
and _crissalis_), that they even seem almost one species, when the
numerous intermediate forms, shading so insensibly into each other,
are considered. However, as this view would be rather extreme, in view
of the really great difference of form between the species mentioned,
we may consider the following as good species, several of them with
one or more varieties: _rufus_, with _longicauda_ and _longirostris_
as varieties, the former scarcely appreciably different, the latter
ranking as a permanent race; _ocellatus_, _cinereus_, _curvirostris_,
the latter with one well-marked variety, _palmeri_; _redivivus_, with
most probably _lecontei_ as a well-marked variety, and _crissalis_.
The seasonal differences in the plumage often make it difficult to
determine these several forms; but if the following facts are borne in
mind, the trouble will be greatly lessened. In every species there is
a more or less decided ochraceous tinge to the crissal region
(sometimes extending forward over the flanks); except in _crissalis_,
in which the lower tail-coverts and anal region are deep chestnut. In
autumn and winter this ochraceous tint becomes very much deeper, as
well as more prevalent, than in spring and summer; the whole plumage
becomes softer, the colors more pronounced, and the markings more
distinct, than when faded and worn in summer.
Synopsis of Species of Harporhynchus.
A. Spots beneath sharply defined and conspicuous,—much darker in
color than the upper parts.
1. H. rufus. The markings lineo-cuneate; wing bands sharply
defined.
Above rufous; markings below dark brown; outer tail-feathers
diluted at tip; wing, 4.00; tail, 5.20; bill from nostril,
.79, nearly straight; tarsus, 1.30; middle toe, .90 (1,377 ♂
Carlisle, Penn.). _Hab._ Eastern Province United States …
var. _rufus_.
Wing, 4.40; tail, 5.70; bill, .79; tarsus, 1.35; middle toe,
.90 (5,652 ♂ Republican River). _Hab._ Plains between
Missouri River to Rocky Mountains … var. _longicauda_.
Above umber brown; markings beneath black; tail-feathers not
paler at tip; wing, 3.90; tail, 4.90; bill, .85, slightly
curved; tarsus, 1.40; middle toe, .94 (4,016 ♂ Brownsville,
Tex.) _Hab._ Eastern Mexico, north to Rio Grande of Texas …
var. _longirostris_.