BEARDLESS FLYCATCHER 313 



of the family." And Dr. Beebe (1905) says: "All of this species 

 which we saw later were feeding on small berries and not on insects." 

 Behavior. — Most observers seem to agree that this little flycatcher 

 likes to spend most of its time well up in the tops of the trees, where 

 its small size, inconspicuous coloring, and superficial resemblance to 

 some other small birds make it very difficult to detect. But in south- 

 ern Texas Austin Paul Smith (1916) found that it showed "a per- 

 sistent partiality for the low bushes" in the chaparral. Others have 

 noticed that it often resorts to the mesquite thickets and other small 

 trees, probably for feeding purposes. Mr. Smith (1909) writes of 

 its habits in southern Mexico: 



You cannot be in these parts long before you detect a very peculiar bird 

 note, th.e author of which may perhaps be detected in the nearest tree ; for the 

 Beardless Flycatcher (Camptostoma imterte) is of a friendly disposition at 

 times. Impressions of early acquaintance would class hira as a Flycatcher, 

 Vireo, or Titmouse, dependent upon his action at the time of your observation. 

 The flycatcher nature is less in evidence than the other two. In many instances 

 I have watched this mite simulate the Vireo's habit of branch inspection, in 

 the same time-careless manner. And again, I might be startled by a titmouse-like 

 note from the brush near at hand, only to discover a chickadee-mimic in Camp- 

 tostoma. Where observed following the Tyrannidae instincts, it was from the 

 tops of the tallest trees, when it remained very quiet. 



Mr. Stephens told Mr. Brewster (1882b) that "they were very shy, 

 and specimens were obtained only at the expense of much trouble 

 and perseverance. Their loud calls were frequently heard, but when 

 the spot was approached the bird either relapsed into silence or took 

 a long flight to resume its calling in another direction. In their mo- 

 tions they resembled other small Flycatchers, but their tail was less 

 frequently jerked." 



Voice. — All who are familiar with the beardless flycatcher in life 

 have remarked on its loud, sharp, far-reaching notes, which are sure 

 to attract attention and help in locating the inconspicuous little bird. 

 Mr. Brewster (1882b) writes: "The males had a habit of perching on 

 the tops of the tallest trees in the vicinity of their haunts, and at 

 sunrise occasionally uttered a singular song w-hich Mr, Stephens 

 transcribes as '"yoop-yoop-yoope-deedledeee., the first half given very 

 deliberately, the remainder rapidly.' A commoner cry, used by both 

 sexes in calling to one another, was a shrill '■pier pier pier pier^ begin- 

 ning in a high key and falling a note each time." 



Mr. van Kossem (1936) refers to "verdin-like notes"; but Mr. Phil- 

 lips tells me that "the call notes have none of the sharpness of the 

 verdin's, and the usual one is more musical than the verdin's. Pos- 

 sibly, of course, the species has some verdin-like alarm note near the 

 nest which I have never heard." A. P. Smith (1909) writes one note 

 as "seetee-tee-tee-tee, often kept up continuously for five minutes"; 

 and again, he (1916) sets down what is probably a call note, as 



