GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER. 271 



southward, Audubon remarks that they fly and sail 

 through the air with great ease, at a considerable eleva- 

 tion ; and they thus continue their silent retreat through- 

 out the night, until about the first of October, when they 

 are no longer to be seen within the limits of the Middle 

 States. 



The King-bird (called also Field Martin in Maryland and the 

 Southern States) is about 8 inches in length, and 14 in alar extent. 

 The general color above is a dark ash color approaching to black. 

 The head and tail are nearly black, the latter tipt with white ; the 

 wings have something of a brownish umber cast. Upper part of the 

 breast tinged with ash, the rest of the lower parts are pure white. 

 The plumage of the crown, though even when the bird is at rest, can 

 be, at will, erected, so as to form a rough crest ; below the black surface 

 of which is seen a bed of scarlet inclining to orange, surrounded and 

 based often with white ; this constitutes the crown of our feathered 

 monarch. The bill is very broad at the base, and black. The legs and 

 feet are also black. The iris hazel. The young birds receive the 

 orange on the crown the first season. 



GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER. 



(Muscicapa crinita, L. Wilson, ii. p. 75. pi. 13. fig. 2. Philad. Mu- 

 seum, No. 6645.) 



Sp. Charact. — Greenish-olive; throat pale ash; belly yellow; 

 wing and tail feathers ferruginous on the inner webs. 



This species, nearly unknown in New England, arrives 

 in Pennsylvania early in May, and builds his nest in the 

 deserted holes of the Woodpecker or Blue-bird. He also 

 frequents the orchard, and is equally fond of Bees with the 

 King-bird. He has no other note than a harsh squeak, 

 which sounds like ^paiip, 'paip or payup, 'payivip, with 

 a strong accent on the first syllable. He preys actively on 

 insects which he collects from his stand ; and, in short, 



