MUSCICAPID.E. 171 



place^ and are usually seen perched upon tlie highest 

 branches of the lofty trees of the prune val forests. 

 Insects form their chief subsistence ; these they 

 capture by short flights^ and return again to the 

 same perch, to watch for others passing within a 

 certain range. 



We extract from Mr. Gosse^s beautiful work on 

 the Birds of Jamaica the following account of — 



The White-hacked Tityra {Tityra leuconotus). " This 

 species of Tityra is not uncommon in the mountain dis- 

 tricts of Jamaica, where, from the remarkable diversity in 

 the appearance of tlie male and female, they are distin- 

 guished by separate local names. The black male is 

 known by the feminine appellation of Judy, while the 

 chestnut-headed female receives the masculine soubriquet 

 of Mountain Dick. Though more frequently seen at a 

 considerable elevation from the sea, we occasionally meet 

 with these birds in the lowlands ; they are, however, 

 rather recluse, aifecting woods and lonely places. Here, 

 as they hop from one twig to another, or sit hidden in the 

 foliage of a thick tree, they utter a rapid and not un- 

 nnisical succession of notes, as if attemptmg to compress 

 them all mto one. The notes are occasionally poured 

 forth in the au', as the bird flits from tree to tree, but are 

 very frequently heard from the male and female alternately, 

 seated on two trees, perhaps on opposite sides of the road, 

 thus : — The Mountain Dick calls, and the Judy immedi- 

 ately answers ; then a littje pause, — another call from 

 Mountaui Dick, and an instant answer from Judy, until, 

 after a succession of such salutations, the Judy gallantly 

 yields the point, and flies over to the other tree to join 

 his friend. This species is fierce and bold m self-defence. 

 When shot, and but slightly wounded, it would make 

 vigorous efibrts to escape by running ; but on being taken 

 in the hand, and held by the legs, it would elevate the 

 crown feathers, turn the head up, and bite fiercely at the 

 fingers, pmcliing the flesh with all its force ; striving, at 

 the same time, to clutch with its claws, and screaming 

 vociferously. It does not appear to pursue other birds, 

 after the manner of the true Tyrants, nor capture insects 

 in the air, notwithstanding that the gape is defended by 



