_Myiadestes_, SWAINSON, Jard. Nat. Library, XIII. Flycatchers, “1838,”
132. (Type, _M. genibarbis_, SW.)
[Line drawing: _Myiadestes townsendi._
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GEN. CHAR. Occipital feathers full and soft. Plumage rather loose.
Bill weak, much depressed. Commissure nearly straight. Hind toe longer
than inner lateral. Toes deeply cleft. Closed wing externally with an
exposed light band across the base of the quills, and another nearer
the end, separated by a darker one. Tail somewhat graduated on the
sides.
Of the ten or more described species of this genus, only one belongs to
the limits of the United States, although several others occupy
adjacent territory in Mexico. Several are peculiar to islands of the
West Indies.
The only two species closely related to the _M. townsendi_ are the _M.
unicolor_ and _M. obscurus_, which belong to Mexico. They may be
distinguished as follows:—
An ochraceous band across base of secondaries and upper primaries,
conspicuous on outer surface.
1. M. townsendi. Generally dull ashy, paler beneath. Throat and
abdomen whitish. _Hab._ Middle and Pacific Provinces of United
States only.
No ochraceous on outer webs of secondaries and primaries.
2. M. obscurus.[80] Back and wings rusty-olive. Head and beneath
ashy, top of head deepest ash. _Hab._ Mountains of Mexico and
Guatemala; Tres Marias Islands.
3. M. unicolor.[81] Entirely dark bluish slate-color, lighter
beneath. Lores black. _Hab._ Central Mexico and Guatemala.
Myiadestes townsendi, CABAN.