406 



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



Total length, 7. GO ; wing, 3.80 ; tail, 4.35 ; length of bill from forehead, .46, from nostril 

 .31. along gape, .06 ; tar.-ius. .70 : middle toe and claw, .65. 



H.\B. Mountainous region of the 

 .-southern portions of Western and Mid- 

 dle Provinces of United States, and 

 south to Orizaba ; Cape St. Lucas ; Pla- 

 teau of Mexico (resident, Su-michrast). 



H.\BIT8. Sn lar as known, this 

 bird occurs in the mountainous 

 portions of the United States, 

 from Fort Tejon, Cal., to Mexico, 

 and from tlie Kio Grande to San 

 Diego. It is closely allied, in its 

 appearance, as also in many of its 

 haliits, both with the Waxwings 

 and the Flycatcliers. 



Tliis .species was first detected 



Phrrnnpfjiln nitrjts 



within the United Status by Colout'l McCall, who obtained it in California 

 in 18.52. Its habits, as he observed them, partook of those of the true Fly- 

 catcher. They are said to be remarkable for their slender, active form, in 

 whicli tbeir long and ample tail, and the elongated feathers of their head, 

 capable of being erected into a crest, are conspiciious features. Colonel 

 McCall first met with them in a clump of trees on the borders of a mountain 

 brook, between VaUiecita and El Chino. A number of them were to- 

 gether actively engaged in the pursuit of insects. They were light and 

 graceful on the wing, though less swift and 

 decided in their motions than tlie true Fly- 

 catchers. In the.se evolutions the briglit white 

 spot on the wing, visible only when the w-ing 

 is spread, was quite conspicuous, and in fine 

 contrast with the glossy black of the general 

 plumage. In his journey Colonel McCall after- 

 wards met this bird several times, either in 

 small companies or singly. They were always 

 either on mountain sides, or in the timbered 

 borders of mountain. streams. 



Dr. Henry met with this species near the 

 Little Lagoon, on the Colorado Desert. It was 

 perched on a mezquite-tree, jerking its tail 

 almost incessantly, as do other kinds of Fly- 

 catchers, and, from time to time, dashing in irregular curves higli into the 

 air in pursuit of insects. It became quite abundant as he approached the 

 Colorado, occurring in companies of twenty and thirty. At Fort Yuma he 

 also met with them iu considerable numbers late in November, as they were 



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