164 VERTEBRATES: BIRDS. 



ward, secures it, returns to the tree, swallows its victim, 

 erects its crest, and immediately utters its harsh, squeak- 

 ing note. 



The Ash-throated Flycatcher, M. mexicanus, Baird, of 

 California to Texas, closely resembles the preceding, but 

 the bill is narrower and blacker, tarsi longer, wings less 

 pointed, the throat and fore part of the breast white, and 

 the sulphur-yellow of the under parts pale. 



Cooper's Flycatcher, M. Cooperi, Baird, and Lawrence's 

 Flycatcher, M. Lawrencii, Baird, of Mexico, are other 

 North American species. 



The Genus Sayornis is characterized by a depressed, 

 moderate crest, rather narrow bill, tail long, broad, and 

 slightly forked, and equal to the wings, which reach to 

 the middle of the tail. 



The Black Flycatcher, 5. nigricans, Bonap., of Western 

 North America, is about seven inches long, the wing 

 about three and a half inches, the general color sooty- 

 brown, under parts and edge of the tail white. 



The Pewee or Phoebe Bird, S.fuscus, Baird, of Eastern 

 North America, is seven inches long, the wing less than 

 three and a half inches, the general color above brownish 

 olive, crown darker, the under parts and edge of the tail 

 yellowish. The Pewee lingers around bridges, old mills, 

 and caves, in some secure part of which it makes its nest 

 of mud, grass, and moss, with a soft lining within to re- 

 ceive the pure white eggs with reddish spots near their 

 larger end. 



Say's Flycatcher, 5. Sayns, Baird, of Western North 

 America, is seven inches long, the wing four and a third 

 inches, the general color grayish brown, reddish cinna- 

 mon beneath. 



The Genus Contopus is characterized by very short, 

 stout tarsi, wings very long and much pointed, and 

 reaching beyond the middle of the tail, the head moder- 



