SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER. 



443. Muscivora forficata. 14i/^ inches. 



This pretty creature is the most graceful in appear- 

 ance of the Flycatcher family, if not of the whole order 

 of perching birds. In the southwest it is frequently 

 known as the "Texan Bird of Paradise." Its habits are 

 very much like those of the Kingbird; as it gracefully 

 swings through the air in pursuit of insects, it fre- 

 quently opens and shuts its scissor-like tail. They are 

 usually found in open country or on the borders of 

 woodland. They rarely alight on the ground, for their 

 long tails make them walk very awkwardly, but when 

 they are a-wing they are the embodiment of grace. 



Note. — A shrill "tzip," "tzip," similar to notes of 

 Kingbirds. 



Nest. — Quite large; built of all kinds of trash, such 

 as twigs, grasses, paper, rags, string, etc.; placed in 

 any kind of a tree or bush and at any height. The 

 four or five creamy white eggs are spotted with brown 

 (.90X.67). 



Range. — Breeds from Texas north to Kansas; win- 

 ters south of U. S. 



