34(5 BIRDS OF nxixoiB. 



"The young is banlly appreciably different, having merely the wiug- 

 coverta tinged with rusty at the ends." (H'lxt. N. Am. B.) 



This bird, while probably more numerous than the Kingbird, at 

 least in the moi'e heavily wooded districts, is by no means so well 

 known. It is essentially a woodland species, being commonest in 

 the wildest parts of the forest, where its shrill, quenilous, whistling 

 notes are in accord with the surroundings. It is by no means con- 

 fined to such localities, however, but frequently takes up its abode 

 in orchards, even in the midst of towiis, and occasionally becomes 

 rather a familiar biril. At Mount Carmel several pairs nested every 

 summer inside the town limits, and one pair raised a brood in a 

 nest which was built in a window corner of the county jail, a brick 

 building, which stood in the very centre of the town. The usual posi- 

 tion, however, of the nest of this species is a hole in a tree, either 

 a natural cavity or a deserted ^Yoodpecker's hole. The nest, as a rule, 

 is composed of a very miscellaneous assortment of materials, such 

 as dried grasses, feathers, hair, etc., to which is usually added one 

 or more cast-off snake skins, perhaps for ornament. The eggs are 

 probably more remarkable for their coloring and marking than those 

 of any other North American bird, being "scratched" over with lines 

 of rich purple and brown on a buffy or cream-colored ground. 



While rarely attacking birds of large size, the Great Crested Fly- 

 catcher is a tyrant among the smaller species, charging with great 

 impetuosity upon every one which comes in the immediate vicinity of 

 the nesting place. 



Genus SAYORNIS Bonaparte. 



Sauomis BoVap. Coll. Deliittre. 1»;4.!(7. Type, Ti/rannula nigricans Swains. 

 Aulanax Cabanis, Journal fur Orn. ISSfi.l. Same type. 



"Oex. Chad. Hencl with a blended depressed modornte erost. Tarsus decidedly 

 loncer than middle toe. which is scarcely longer than the hind toe. Bill rather narrow: 

 width of base about half the culmen. Tail, broad, lonK. slightly forked; eijual to the 

 wiuifs, which are moderately pointed. and reach to the middle of the Uu\. First primary 

 shorter than sixth." (//is/. N. A m. B.) 



This genus agrees with Mi/iarchiis in the length of the broad tail, 

 but has a longer tarsus and a different style of coloration. 



The tlu-ee North American species, although very distinct in col- 

 oration, agree closely in habits. They are all familiar birds, fond of 

 the society of man, taking up their abode about the barn-yard, and 

 placing their nests underneath the cai'riage-shed or any suitable 

 place about the farm buildings. 



