310 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



flying over a meadow, in pursuit of insects. It afterwards alighted on the 

 top of a small detached tree, when it was secured. The bird appeared to 

 have lost its way, was unsuspicious, and paid no attention when approached. 

 On the wing, it seemed to make use of its long tail whenever it sought to 

 suddenly turn in pursuit of its prey. On the ground, it vibrated its tail in 

 the manner of a Sparrow-Hawk. 



When tlie bird fell to the ground severely wounded, it uttered a sharp 

 squeak, which it repeated, accompanied by a smart clicking of the bill, when 

 Mr. Audubon approached it. It lived only a few moments, and from this 

 specimen he made his drawing. 



Several years previous to this, one of these birds had been shot near 

 Henderson, Ky., but it was so far decayed when given to Mr. Audubon 

 that it could not be preserved. It had been obtained among the Barrens 

 late in October. Near Natchez, Miss., in August, 1822, Mr. Audubon was 

 confident he saw two others of this species. They were high in the air, and 

 were twittering in the manner of a Kingbird. He was, however, unable to 

 secure them. 



Another straggler was obtained near Bridgton, N. J., early in December. 

 From this specimen was made the engraving in Bonaparte's Ornithology. 

 It was given to Titian Peale by Mr. J. Woodcraft of that place. 



This Flycatcher is a resident in tropical South America from Guiana to La 

 Plata, and in its habits resembles the swallow-tailed species of our southern 

 fauna. It is said to be a solitary bird, remaining perched on the limb of 

 a tree, from which, from time to time, it darts after passing insects ; while 

 standing, it is said to vibrate its long tail in the manner of the European 

 Wagtail. It also occasionally utters a twitter not unlike the common note 

 of the Kingbird. Besides insects, this bird also feeds on berries, as the 

 bird obtained near Bridgton had its stomach distended with the fruit of the 

 poke-weed. 



This species, according to Sumichrast, is found abundantly in winter in the 

 savannas of the hot lands of Vera Cruz, and occurs to the height of about 

 two thousand feet. He is not aware of its being resident. 



Mr. Leyland found this species frequenting Old Eiver and the pine ridges 

 of Belize. They were also plentiful on the flats near Peten, and were 

 occasionally found at Comayagua and Omoa, Honduras. 



Mr. C. W. Wyatt met with this Flycatcher in Colombia, South America, 

 on tlie savanna in the neighborhood of Aquachica. When at Ocafia, he 

 used to see them congregated in considerable numbers just before sunset, 

 whirling round high up in the air, and darting down like rockets to the 

 ground. He only found it frequenting the open part of the country, and he 

 never met with it at a greater elevation than five thousand feet. 



An egg of this species obtained by Dr. Baldamus, from Cayenne, exhibits 

 a strong resemblance to the egg of the common Kingbird. It has a clear 

 white ground, and is spotted with deep and prominent marking of red and 



