406 



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



8275 



Phaiwpepla nitens 



Total length, 7.60 ; wing, 3.80 ; tail, 4.35 ; length of bill from forehead, .46, from nostril 

 .31, along gape, .66 ; tarsus, .70 ; middle toe and claw, .65. 



Hab. Mountainous region of the 

 [) southern portions of Western and Mid- 

 dle Provinces of United States, and 

 south to Orizaba ; Cape St. Lucas ; Pla- 

 teau of Mexico (resident, Sumichrast). 



Habits. So far as known, this 

 bird occurs in the mountainous 

 portions of the United States, 

 from Fort Tejon, CaL, to Mexico, 

 and from the Rio Grande to San 

 Diego. It is closely allied, in its 

 appearance, as also in many of its 

 habits, both with the Waxwings 

 and the Flycatchers. 



This species was first detected 

 within the United States by Colonel McCall, who obtained it in California 

 in 1852. Its habits, as he observed them, partook of those of the true Fly- 

 catcher. They are said to be remarkable for their slender, active form, in 

 which their long and ample tail, and the elongated feathers of their head, 

 capable of being erected into a crest, are conspictious features! Colonel 

 McCall first met with them in a clump of trees on the borders of a mountain 

 brook, between Valliecita and El Chiuo. A number of them were to- 

 gether actively engaged in the pursuit of insects. They were light and 

 graceful on the wing, though less swift and 

 decided in their motions than the true Fly- 

 catchers. In these evolutions the bright white 

 spot on the wing, visible only when the wing- 

 is spread, was quite conspicuous, and in fine 

 contrast with the glossy black of the general 

 plumage. In his journey Colonel McCall after- 

 wards met this bird several times, either in 

 small companies or singly. They were always 

 either on mountain sides, or in the timbered 

 borders of mountain streams. 



Dr. Henry met with this species near the 

 Little Lagoon, on the Colorado Desert. It was 

 perched on a mezquite-tree, jerking its tail 

 almost incessantly, as do other kinds of Fly- 

 catchers, and, from time to time, dashing in irregular curves high into the 

 air in pursuit of insects. It became quite abundant as he approached the 

 Colorado, occurring in companies of twenty and thirty. At Fort Yuma he 

 also met with them in considerable numbers late in November, as they were 



Pha>nopepla nitens. 



