_Setophaga_, SWAINSON, Zoöl. Jour. III, Dec. 1827, 360. (Type,
_Muscicapa ruticilla_, L.)—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 297.
_Sylvania_, NUTTALL, Man. Orn. I, 1832. (Same type.)
[Line drawing: _Setophaga ruticilla_, SW.]
GEN. CHAR. Bill much depressed, the lateral outlines straight towards
tip. Bristles reach half-way from nostril to tip. Culmen almost
straight to near the tip; commissure very slightly curved. Nostrils
oval, with membrane above them. Wings rather longer than tail,
pointed; second, third, and fourth quills nearly equal; first
intermediate between fourth and fifth. Tail rather long, rather
rounded; the feathers broad, and widening at ends, the outer web
narrow. Tarsi with scutellar divisions indistinct externally. Legs
slender; toes short, inner cleft nearly to base of first joint, outer
with first joint adherent; middle toe without claw, not quite half the
tarsus.
The genus _Setophaga_ is very largely represented in America, although
of the many species scarcely any agree exactly in form with the type.
In the following diagnosis I give several species, referred to,
perhaps erroneously, as occurring in Texas.
Belly white. End of lateral tail-feathers black. Sexes
dissimilar.
Ground-color black, without vertex spot. Sides of breast and
bases of quills and tail-feathers reddish-orange in male,
yellowish in female … _ruticilla_.
Belly vermilion or carmine red. Lateral tail-feathers,
including their tips, white. Sexes similar.
Entirely lustrous black, including head and neck. No vertex
spot. A white patch on the wings … _picta_.[60]
Plumbeous-ash, including head and neck. A chestnut-brown
vertex spot. No white on wings … _miniata_.[61]
Setophaga ruticilla, SWAINS.