TYRANNID^ — THE FLYCATCHERS. 339 



fly after an insect from an accustomed perch, usually a lower dead limb of 

 a forest tree. Tliey prefer shady situations, and are said to feed late in the 

 evening. 



Mr. Eidgway met with this species in all suitable localities, from the Sac- 

 ramento Valley eastward to the Wahsatch Mountains. It was most abun- 

 dant among the oaks of the plains between the Sacramento liiver and the 

 Sierra Nevada ; but in the wooded river valleys of the interior, as well as in 

 the cedar and pinon or mahogany woods on the mountains of the latter 

 region, it was also more or less frequently met with. In its manners it is 

 described as a counterpart of the eastern M. crinitus, but its notes, though 

 generally similar in character, have not tliat strength which makes the 

 vociferous screaming wliistles of the eastern species so noticeable. 



This species, or a very closely allied race of it (var. jyc^iinax) was pro- 

 cured at Cape St. Lucas by Mr. Xantus. It had the peculiarities of a 

 soutliei'n race, stronger feet, stouter bill, and a generally smaller size. 



A few individuals of this species were found by Mr. Grayson inhabiting 

 the islands of the Three Marias, on the Pacific coast of Mexico. He usually 

 saw them among low bushes, darting from their perch after flies and other 

 winged insects. They were very silent, and seldom uttered a note. 



Four eggs of this species from Matamoras, collected by the late Dr. Ber- 

 landier, have the following measurements : .82 by .75, .91 by .71, .95 by .75, 

 .98 by .75 of an inch. Though having a very close resemblance to the eggs 

 of 3£. crinita, there are noticeable certain constant variations. The ground- 

 color is a little lighter, and has a tinge of pinkish not found in the eggs of 

 the eastern species. The markings are more in oblong plashes of irregular 

 shape, and rarely exhibit the waving lines. There are more and larger 

 blotches of a light purplish -brown. The eggs are a little more spherical in 

 their general shape, and the markings are less abundant. The eggs of M. 

 cooperi have a still more roseate tint in the buff of the ground-color, are 

 marked with smaller blotches of bright purple and much larger ones of 

 Idac-brown. They measure .92 by .75 of an inch. 



Genus SAYORNIS, Bonap. 



Sayornis, Bonap. ?Ateneo italiano, 1854. — Ib. Coinptes Rendus, 1854, Notes Orn. De- 



lattre. 

 Aulanax, Cabanis, Journal fiir Orn. 1856, 1 (tjqje, nigricans). 



Gen. CriAR. Head with a blended depressed moderate crest. Tarsus decidedly longer 

 than middle toe, which is scarcely longer than the hind toe. Bill rather narrow ; width 

 at base about half the culmen. Tail broad, long, slightly forked; equal to the wings, 

 which are moderately pointed, and reach to the middle of the tail. First primary shorter 

 than the sixth. 



This genus agrees with the preceding in the length of the broad tail, but 



