134 BULLETIN 17 9, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



near an apiary contained no honey bees, but one contained 24 robber 

 flies, an enemy of the honey bee." 

 Behavior. — Grinnell and Storer (1924) write: 



The Ash-throated Flycatcher resembles the Western Kingbird in general 

 form and tone of coloration, but differs unmistakably in habits and demeanor. 

 It has none of the aggressive, belligerent actions which characterize the king- 

 bird, but attends to the business of catching insects in a pleasingly quiet 

 manner. Unlike many of the Flycatcher tribe, the Ash-throat does not often 

 return to the same location after sallying forth to capture an insect, but usually 

 moves on to a new perch, evidently preferring to go after its prey rather than 

 passively wait for the latter to chance by. Often, when taking flight for but 

 a short distance, the bird retains the upright posture of its body, and with its 

 tail drooped and slightly expanded flutters from one perch to the next. Nor 

 is it so restricted in home range as the kingbird. Most flycatchers, the kingbird 

 included, are wont to remain in a restricted area after once being established 

 for the season, but the Ash-throat seems to be more enterprising and ranges 

 widely over the brushlands. 



That this flycatcher is sometimes more aggressive than the above 

 remark indicates is shown by the following observations by Dr. 

 Beebe (1905) : 



As the two ravens rose at our approach, one of these flycatchers appeared 

 from a field beyond and, kingbird-like, gave a thrashing to first one and then 

 the other, descending with his full force upon head and back and more than 

 once sending fluffs of black to the ground. 



When both ravens had disappeared, the flycatcher returned and instantly 

 gave his attention to a Western Red-tailed Hawk. Uttering his loud chc-hoo! 

 cJie-hod! the brave little creature dashed at the bird of prey, striking blow 

 after blow, the hawk meanwhile never attempting to retaliate, but making every 

 effort to escape from his small tormentor. Thus early in our trip the Ash- 

 throated Flycatcher established a reputation for bravery which it always 

 sustained. 



Voice. — ^Major Bendire (1895) says that "its principal call note 

 is a clear 'huit, huit,' a number .of times repeated, which sounds 

 very much like the ordinary call of the Phainopepla; it also utters 

 some low, whistling notes which are not at all disagreeable to the 

 ear." 



Florence A. Merriam Bailey (1896) says: "Their calls closely 

 resemble those of the eastern Great-crest, M. crinitus. Some are like 

 quir^r'r^ quir'p' and quir'r-rlied. The bird also says A^^, A^/>, ha-wheer^ 

 the hip emphasized with a vertical flip of the tail, the wheer with a 

 sidewise dash. The Flycatcher has besides a low call of hip and 

 ha-whip.'''' 



Field Trmrks. — In general appearance the ash-throated flycatcher 

 most closely resembles our common eastern crested flycatcher, but the 

 two are not likely to occur in the same region. A flycatcher resem- 

 bling our eastern bird, but much paler in coloration, with a large, 

 brown, bushy head, a- conspicuous white throat, a,nd a long, reddish 



