242 FLYCATCHERS. 



the young by regurgitation — a frightful-looking act — the food consist- 

 ing largely of minute insects. The young remain in the nest for some 

 three weeks, and on leaving it are at once at home on the wing. 



Bradford Torrey. 



ORDER PASSERES. PERCHING BIRDS. 



Fa^iily Tyrannid^. Flycatchers. 



From the systematist's standpoint Flycatchers are songless Perch- 

 ing Birds. It does not follow that they are voiceless, or even truly 

 songless, but that, having the voice-organ or syrinx less highly devel- 

 oped than other Passeres, they are possessed of comparatively limited 

 vocal powers. This family is peculiar to America. The Old-World 

 Flycatchers belong to the family Iluscicapidce and are true Oscines. 

 Some three hundred and fifty species are known. They are most abun- 

 dant in the tropics, where their services as insect-catchers are in great- 

 est demand. About thirty-five species reach the United States. 



Flycatchers are found wherever there are trees. As a rule they are 

 of sedentary and solitary disposition. Their manner of feeding is 

 characteristic. From a favorable perch, hawklike, they await passing 

 insects, and with an aim that rarely misses launch forth into the air ; 

 there is a sharp, suggestive dick of the broad bill, and, completing 

 their aerial circle, they return to their perch and are again en garde. 



KEY TO THE SPECIES. 



I. Wiiitr over 3-00. 



A. Tail black or blackish, sometimes tipped with white, a concealed orange- 



red crown patch. 

 a. Under wing-coverts yellowish, no white tip on the tail. 



445. Gray Kingbird. 

 h. Under wing-coverts blackish, tail tipped with white . 444. Kingbird. 



B. Inner vane of tail-feathers pale rufous ; throat and breast grayish ; 



belly sulphur-yellow 452. Crested Flycatcher. 



C. Tail fuscous, not tipped with white ; no crown patch. 



a. Entire bill black ; tail rarely more than '50 longer than wing ; tarsus 

 decidedly longer than bill ; under tail-coverts always pale, yellowish 

 white 456. Phoebe. 



b. Under mandible generally in whole or part pale brownish ; wing 

 always more than -50 longer than tail ; tarsus about equal to bill ; 

 some of under tail-coverts frequently with darker centers. 



b^. Wing over 3-50 ; sides and breast, except a narrow whitish line 

 through its center, of the same color as the back. 



459. Olive-sided Flycatcher. 

 b^. Wing under 3'50; breast and sides washed with olive-gray. 



461. Wood Pewee. 



