CATALOGUE OF VERTEBRATES. 525 



"Arrive in May, and by twos or threes are seen hovering 

 about flowers, or darting now and then among swarms of minute 

 insects then beginning to fill the atmosphere. Humming birds 

 are more sociable than they are supposed to be ; and although 

 their nests are generally in unfrequented positions, yet it is by 

 no means always so, and the author has found them building in 

 trees whose branches were in direct contact with the house. It 

 may be that the flowers they most love are the cultivated ones, 

 but this is by no means certain. The nest is built of fine grass,, 

 is lined with hair, and covered upon its exterior with lichen,, 

 rendering it very difficult to detect, as generally a scrubby oak 

 is chosen, which has its branches frequently well covered with 

 the same growth. The eggs are two in number. During incu- 

 bation the males are very bold, and fearlessly attack any intruder. 

 The author has had them to fly directly in his face, while in- 

 specting their nests. They have generally disappeared by Sep- 

 tember 15th, but the writer has seen them after severe frosts 

 one as late as October 19th. During some summers are much 

 more abundant than others." [C. C. A.] 



Section INSESSORE8. 



Perching Birds. 



RDER 



PASSERES 



Family TYRANNID^E. 



Tyrant Flycatchers. 



MILVULUS, Swains. 



M. tyrannus, L. Fork-tailed Flycatcher. 



Top of head deep black, with a concealed patch of yellow in 

 middle of crown ; back light bluish gray ; lower parts white. 

 Length, 15 inches; tail, 9J inches. Female somewhat smaller; 

 the tail much shorter and less forked. No yellow crown spot or 



