TYRANNID.E — THE FLYCATCHERS. 



311 



red-brown. They are of an oblong-oval shape, are tapering at one end, and 

 measure .90 by .68 of an inch. 



Milvulus forflcatiis, Swain. 



SCISSOR-TAIL ; SWALLOW-TAIL FLYCATCHEK. 



Micscicapa forficata, Gmelin, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 931. — Vieillot, Ois. Am. Sept. I, ISO?, 

 71. — Stephens, in Sliaw's Zool. X, ii, 413, pi. iii. — Bonap. Am. Cm. 1, 1825, 15, 

 pi. ii, f. 1. — AuD. Oru. Biog. IV, 1838, 426, pi. ueclix, f. 3. 2'i/raniius forficatus, S.vy, 

 Long's E.xped., II, 1823, 224. — Nrri-AU.'s Manual, 1, (2a ed.,) 1840, 30U. Milmilus 

 forjimtus, "Swains." Rich. List, 1837. — Audubon, Synopsis, 183!), 38. — In. Birds 

 Am. 1, 1840, ia7, pi. liii. — Cauan. Mus. Hein. II, 79. — ScL. List, 1862, 237.— 

 Baikd, Birds N. Am. 1858, 169. — Ib. Mex. B. II, Zobl. 7. — Heeum. X, e. p. 11. 

 Ti/rannus mcxicaniis, Stephens, Shaw, Gen. Zobl. Birds, Xlll, ii, 1826, 135. Mou- 

 chcroUe a queue fourchue du Mexiqwc, Buffon, pi. eul. 677. Bird of Paradise of the 

 Texans. 



Sp. Char. Wing with the outer primary only abruptly attenuated, and narrowly 

 linear (for about .85 of an inch) ; the 

 second but slightly emarginate ; second 

 quill longest ; first and third equal. Tail 

 very deeply forked, the lateral feathers 

 twice as long as the body, all narrow 

 and linear or subspatulate. Top and 

 sides of the head very pale ash ; the 

 back a little darker, and faintly tinged 

 witli light brick-red; under parts nearly 

 pure white, tinged towards the tail with 

 light vermilion, rather more rose on the 

 under wing-coverts ; a patch on the side 

 of the breast and along the fore-arm 

 dark vermilion-red. Tail-feathers rosy 

 white, tipped at the end for two or three 

 inches with black. Rump dark brown, 

 turning to black on the coverts. Wings 

 very dark brown; the coverts and quills, 

 excepting the primaries (and including 

 the outer of these), edged with whiti.sh. 

 Crown with a concealed patch of white, 

 having some orange-red in the centre. 

 Length, 13.00; wing, 4.75; tail, 8.50; 

 depth of fork, 5.80. 



Hab. Middle America, from Panama 

 northw'ard ; prairies and oak barrens of Texas, Indian Territory, and occasionally .'South- 

 west Missouri and Kansas. Accidental in Eastern States (New Jersey, Tuhnbui.l ; District, 

 of Columbia? CouKs) ; Xalapa (ScL. 1857, 204); Guatem.ala (Scl. Ibis, I, 121; Mu.«. S. 

 I.); Hondun-is (Sci,. II, 114); Costa Rica (Caban. J., ISCI, 252); Vera Cruz, hot and 

 temperate regions (Sn«. M. B. S. T, 550). 



Tliis exquisitely beautiful and graceful bird is quit(! abundant on llie 

 prairies of Southern Texas, and is everywhere conspicuous among its kindred 



Milvulus /orficat (f.> 



