WESTERN BIRDS PhainopepU 



GENUS PHAINOPEPLA: SILKY FLY- 

 CATCHERS. 



Phainopepla: Phainopepla nitens. 

 FAMILY— SILKY FLYCATCHERS. 



Originally this bird was placed in the family with 

 the Waxwings but the latest classification of the A. 0. U. 

 places it in a family by itself, which seems quite proper 

 since there is little resemblance between the two; in fact, 

 none, save the crest, so far as plumage goes. 



To me this Phainopepla, or Silky Flycatcher as it is 

 sometimes called, is the most dignified and aristocratic 

 of our birds. He is about seven and one-half inches long 

 and is very slender, with a rather thin crest that at times 

 tips forward. His plumage is the glossiest and shiniest 

 of blacks, the only relief being a bright red eye, and 

 white wing patches which, however, show only in flight. 

 The female has the crest but is a soft, inconspicuous 

 gray with wing patches slightly lighter. 



It is to be regretted that this most interesting species 

 has so limited a range, being found only from central 

 California, southern Utah, and southwestern Texas, 

 south; wintering from southern California, southward. 



These birds are most abundant in the desert country 

 of the southwest, often gathering in large bands to feast 

 upon the juniper berries of which they are fond. They 

 do not, however, restrict themselves to desert regions, 

 being common summer residents of Pasadena and por- 

 tions of Los Angeles that border the Arroyo. They are 

 not at all shy, even nesting in the dooryards and coming 



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