FORK-TAILED F L YC A TC HER. 151 



much elongated as those of the adult. It is proper to remark, that the 

 elongated tail feathers of the full grown bird are sometimes very much 

 worn, in consequence of the rapidity with which it passes through the 

 bushes. 



Two colored figures have been given of the Fork-tailed Flycatcher, 

 the one by Buffon, which is extremely bad, although the rectilinear form 

 of the tail is correctly represented ; the other, by Vieillot, which has 

 the exterior tail feathers unnaturally curved, and notwithstanding it is 

 preferable to Buifon's figure, yet it is far from being accurate. This 

 author having been unable to procure a North American specimen, 

 chose nevertheless to introduce the species in his Natural History of 

 North American Birds, on the authority of former authors, giving a 

 figure from a South American specimen. The error in representing the 

 exterior tail feathers curved, doubtless arose from the manner iu which 

 the dried skin was packed for transportation. That our drawing of this 

 graceful bird is far superior to those above mentioned, will at once be 

 evident on comparison ; this superiority is owing to the circumstance of 

 this drawing, like all the others given in the present work, being made 

 from the recent specimen. Buifon's plain figure is a more faithful repre- 

 sentation than that "iven in his colored en<rravin(rs. 



From the very great rarity of the Fork-tailed Flycatcher in this region, 

 and the advanced season in which this individual was killed, it is evident 

 that it must have strayed from its native country under the influence 

 of extraordinary circumstances ; and we are unable to believe that its 

 wanderings have ever extended as far as Canada, notwithstanding the 

 statements of authors to the contrary. It may be proper to observe, 

 that the difierence indicated by Linn^ and Latham between the variety 

 which they suppose to inhabit Canada, and that of Surinam, appears to 

 have no existence in nature. 



Although this bird is so very rare and accidental here, we should be 

 led to suppose it a more regular summer visitant of the Southern States, 

 were it not impossible to believe that so showy a bird could have escaped 

 the observation of travellers ; hence we infer, that the Fork-tailed Fly- 

 catcher must be included in the catalogue of those species which are 

 mere fortuitous visitors to the United States. As but a single specimen 

 of this bird has been obtained, I cannot give any account of its mannera 

 and habits from personal observation. 



The native country of the Fork-tailed Flycatcher is Guiana, where it 

 is rather common, and is improperly called Veuve (Widow), from the 

 great length of its tail, in which character only it resembles the African 

 birds of that name. 



The habits of the Fork-tailed Flycatcher resemble those of other 

 species of the same genus. It is a solitary bird, remaining for a long 

 time perched on the limb of a tree, whence it occasionally darts after 



