376 THE ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER. 



Beauties they are too, creamy white with bold and handsome spots of chestnut 

 in two shades, and HIac-gray. Incubation is accomphshed in twelve or thirteen 

 days, and the youngsters fl_\' in a matter of two weeks. 



These Kingbirds are model parents, de\'Oted in brooding and courageous 

 in defense. Noisy they are to a fault, gurrulous in an luuiumbered host of 

 cajolatives and ecstatics, as well as expletives. Unlike the members of 

 Tyranniis tyra]iiiiis. they are good neighbors e\-en among their own kind. At 

 the call of need neighbors rally to the common defense, but this is usually in 

 \'illages where demesnes adjoin. On several occasions I have found other 

 birds nesting peaceably in the same tree with these Kingbirds; and, as in the 

 case of T. tyraiiiiits. Bullock Orioles appear to be rather particular friends. 



The nests shown in the cut on preceding page are the work of one pair 

 of birds. Embarrassed by a wealth of string and unable to decide which of 

 two good locations to utilize, the birds built in both: the female laid eggs in 

 both, three in one and two in the iither. ^^loreover, she sat in both, day anfl 

 day about, a bird of a divided mind. 



No. 144. 



ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER. 



A. O. U. No. 454. Myiarchiis cinerascens (Lawrence). 



Description. — Adults: Above dull grayish brown changing to clear browii 

 on crown ; wings dusky brown, the middle and greater coverts tipped broadly, and 

 the secondaries edged with pale buffy brown or dull whitish, the primaries edged, 

 except toward tips, with cinnamon-rufous; tail darker than back, with paler 

 grayish brown edgings, that of outermost rectrix sometimes nearly white ; tail 

 feathers, except central pair, chiefly cinnamon-rufous on inner webs; sides of head 

 and neck gray (slightly tinged with brown) fading into much paler gray on chin, 

 throat, and chest, changing to pale yellowish on breast and remaining underparts; 

 yellow of underparts strengthening posteriorly, and axillars and under wing- 

 coverts clear (primrose) yellow. Bill blackish; feet and legs black; iris brown. 

 Length of adult male about 8.35 (212) ; wing 3.94 ( 100) ; tail 3.63 (92) ; bill .75 

 (19) ; tarsus .91 (23). 



Recognition Marks. — Chewink size; brownish gray above; ashy throat 

 shading into pale jellow of remaining underparts. 



Nesting. — Nest: a natural cavity or deserted Flicker hole, copiously lined 

 with wool, hair, or other soft materials. Eggs: 3-6, usually 4, bufliy or creamy as 

 to ground, but heavily marked, chiefl)' in curious lengthwise pattern, with streaks 

 of purplish chestnut of several degrees of intensity. Av. size, .88 x .65 ( 22.4 x 

 16.5). Season: first week in June; one brood. 



