39G MICHIGAN J5IR1) LIl'lO. 



ravenously on berries of sassafras and spice bush and to a less extent on 

 wild cherries, June berries (Amelanchier), honeysuckle, blackberries and 

 a few other species. They begin to move southward by the first of Septem- 

 ber and are all gone by the end of the month. 



There has been much speculation about the use of the brilliant crown- 

 patch of the Kingbird, some writers claiming that the birds use this as 

 an imitation flower to attract insects, snapping them up as they come 

 within reach. Actual observation of this performance does not seem to 

 have been recorded and it would be well for those who have opportunity 

 to watch hungry Kingbirds in reference to this alleged habit, and publish 

 the results. 



TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION. 



Adult (sexes alike) : Top and sides of head clear black, the middle of the crown with a 

 concealed patch of orange red; rest of upper parts slate gray, most of the wing-coverts 

 as well as the tertiaries and some of the secondaries, narrowly edged with white; vmder 

 parts pure w^hite shaded with gray along the sides and across the breast; tail square or 

 slightly rounded, clear black, each feather conspicuously tipped with white; bill and feet 

 black; iris brown. 



Immature: Similar to adult, but red of crown entirely absent, and most of the light 

 edgings above tinged with rusty. 



Length S to 9 inches; wing 4.45 to 4.75; tail 3.40 to 3.75; culmen about .60. 



178. Crested Flycatcher. Myiarchus crinitus (Linn.). (452) 



Synonyms: Great Crested Flycatcher, Snake-skin Bird. — Tiuxlus crinitus, Linn., 1758. 

 — Muscicapa crinita, Linn., 1766. — Muscicapa ludoviciana, Gmel. 



Figure 94. 



The ashy gray throat and breast and sulphur yellow belly mark this bird 

 among the other flycatchers, and the cinnamon edgings of the wing and tail 

 feathers serve to clinch the identity. The "crest" is no larger than in most 

 other members of the family. 



Distribution. — Eastern United States and southern Canada, west to 

 Manitoba and the Plains, south through eastern Mexico to Costa Rica, 

 Panama and Columbia. Breeds from Florida northward. 



A rather common bird in most parts of the state, but nowhere abundant, 

 and less often seen toward the north, although occasional pairs are found 

 along the south shore of Lake Superior, and Major 

 Boies noted it occasionally on Neebish Island in 

 the St. Mary's River, about 46° 20' north. It 

 arrives from the south rather late, rarely before 

 May 1 in the southern counties, and a week or ten 

 days later in the north. At Petersburg Trombley's 

 earliest record is April 27, 1888, but Swales noted 

 one at Detroit, April 9, 1889. It moves southward 

 again in September, only stragglers being seen — ^ j^-.^. 

 after the middle of the month. Fig. 94. 



It shows a preference for the forest and is shyer Tail of crested Flycatcher, 

 than most of the flycatchers. Its favorite perch 



is the top of some high tree (not necessarily a dead one), and its loud parrot- 

 like calls and whistles can be heard at long distances. Major Bendire 

 says: "It utters a variety of sounds; the most common is a clear whistle 

 like 'e-whuit-huit,' or 'wit-whit, wit- whit,' repeated five or six times in 



