PASSERES — MUSCICAPID.E — MUSCICAPA. 1 15 



THE PHGEBE-BIRD. 



MtJSCICAPA FUSCA. 

 PLATE XXX. FIG. 67. 



(STATE COLLECTION.) 



M.fusca, Gmelin. Dusky Flycatcher. Pennant, Arct. Zool. Vol. 2, p. 389. 



M. nunciola, Bartram. Wilson, Am. Orn, Vol.2, p. 78, pi. 13, fig. 4. 



M.fusca. Bonapakte, Ann. Lye. N. Y. Vol. 2, p. 68. Audobon, folio pi. 120; Orn. Biog. Vol. 2, p. 122, and 



Vol. 5, p. 424. 

 Pewit Flycatcher, or Phcebe. Nut-tall, Man. Orn. Vol. 1, p. 278, figure. 

 M.fusca. Aodobon, B. of A. Vol. 1, p. 223, pi. 63 (male and female). 

 M. id., Pewee Flycatcher. Giradd, Birds of Long island, p. 42. 



Characteristics. Dark olive brown. Bill entirely black. Tail emarginate ; the exterior 

 feathers whitish on the outer web. Length, seven inches. 



Description. Head with an erectile crest. Tail emarginate, an inch and a half longer 

 than the tips of the closed wings. Third and fourth primaries longest, subequal. 



Color. Above dark olive ; the head darker, approaching to brownish black. Wings and 

 tail dusky approaching to black ; the former edged on every feather with yellowish white. 

 Legs and bill black. Beneath pale whitish or greenish yellow ; the breast greyish. Sexes 

 nearly similar. 



Length, 7'1. Alar extent, 9-0- 9-5. 



This familiar and favorite little bird winters from South-Carolina to Mexico. It appears 

 with us in the latter days of March or beginning of April, and their appearance is hailed as 

 the certain harbinger of spring. They leave us in October or November, according to the 

 nature of the season. It extends its migrations north to the 57th parallel. It breeds in every 

 part of the State, laying from four to six white eggs with a few reddish spots near the larger end. 

 Feeds in the spring and summer on insects ; in the winter, on berries and seeds of various 

 kinds. 



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