EASTERN KINGBIRD 11 



are low and rapid, and the latter part starts high, though rather thin 

 as compared to the crested flycatcher, and rapidly drops down and 

 trails off to nothing in the drawn out ooooooP 



DISTRIBUTION 



Range. — Western Mexico, accidental in southern Arizona ; probably 

 only slightly migratory. 



The range of Xantus's becard extends north to northern Sonora 

 (Saric, San Rafael, and Guirocoha) ; and southern Chihuahua (San 

 Rafael). From this region it is found south to Morelos (Puente de 

 Ixtla) and Guerrero (Chilpancingo, Acapulco, and Coyuca). It 

 appears to be resident north to southern Sonora (Alamos and 

 Tesia) and southern Chihuahua (San Rafael). 



Other races of this species are found in eastern Mexico on the 

 Tres Marias Islands, and in other Central American countries. 



Casual records. — A single specimen has been collected in the 

 United States, a bird obtained on June 20, 1888, in the pine forests 

 of the Huachuca Mountains, Ariz. According to Ridgway (1907) a 

 specimen of this race was collected in March at Cerro de la Silla, 

 Nuevo Leon, Mexico, which is east of the usual range. One bird 

 was seen by L. Irby Davis near Harlingen, Tex., on numerous 

 occasions in 1937 and 1938 (see account of it above). 



Egg dates. — Mexico : 6 records, May 8 to June 20. 



Family TYRANNIDAE : Tyrant Flycatchers 



TYRANNUS TYRANNUS (Linnaeus) 



EASTERN KINGBIRD 



Plates 2-4 



HABITS 



CONTKIBUTEa> BY WiNSOB MaRRETT TyLER 



'\^^len we think of the kingbird, even if it be winter here in the 

 north, and he is for the time thousands of miles away in the Tropics, 

 we picture him as we see him in summer, perched on the topmost limb 

 of an apple tree, erect in his full-dress suit — white tie, shirt-front, 

 and waistcoat — upright, head thrown back, his eye roaming over his 

 domain, on the watch for intruders. We see him sail out into the air. 

 moving slowly, although his wings are quivering fast, then gaining 

 speed and mounting higher as he comes near his enemy — a crow, a 

 hawk, any bird that has stirred his resentment. We hear his high, 

 sibilant, jerky voice ring out a challenge; we watch him dive at 

 the big bird, striking for his back, and drive him off, and then come 



