Wayne: Birds of South Carolina. 10 1 



175. Myiarchus crinitus (Linn.). Crested Flycatcher. 

 This species arrives between April 2 and 7, the former date 



being my earliest record. It is found commonly everywhere 

 in the breeding season, on the coast islands as well as on the main- 

 land, and is the most abundant of all the flycatchers found in 

 the State. The nest of this bird is built in woodpecker holes, 

 natural cavities of trees, bird-boxes, or dwelling houses, and 

 is composed of pine needles, grass, feathers, hair of various mam- 

 mals, and always pieces of snake skins. This last article seems to 

 be indispensable, for in the many nests that I have examined 

 this material was always present. Some birds breed much ear- 

 lier than others. I have taken eggs containing large embryos as 

 early as May 16, while I have watohed birds which did not com- 

 mence building until after the middle of May, so that full sets of 

 eggs were not laid until the first week in June. The eggs number 

 from four to six, generally five, but sets of six are not rare. They 

 are deep buff or creamy, streaked and spotted with dark brown 

 and purple, the streaks being longitudinal. They measure 

 .90 X .70. As far as I have been able to ascertain but one brood is 

 raised. 



This bird has many local names and among them "Freight" 

 and "Race Bird." The former name is in imitation of its note, 

 which is excellent. 



The Crested Flycatcher winters from southern Florida to Cen- 

 tral America. By the last of September it has departed from the 

 State. 1 



176. Sayornis phoebe (Lath.). Phcebe; Pewee. 



Audubon says of this species, in Birds of America:^ 



None, however, to my knowledge, breed south of Charleston in South Carolina, 

 and very few in the lower parts of that State. 



This statement implies that this bird breeds at or near Charles- 

 ton, which is an error, as the Pewee breeds only in the moun- 

 tainous portions of the State. 



In the vicinity of Charleston this species is merely an autumn, 

 winter, and early spring visitant. The birds arrive with great 

 regularity in autumn, and I append three dates upon which the 



' The latest record of the Charleston Museum for this species is October 9, 1909, when 

 it was reported by Messrs. Burnham and Hhett Chamberlain from the Porter Military 

 Academy campus in Charleston. — Ed. 



2 1. 229. 



