MYIARCHUS CRINITUS — GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER. 283 



base than half the culmen. Tail broad, long, even, or 

 slightly rounded, about equal to the wings, which scarcely 

 reach the middle oi' the tail; the first j)rimary shorter than 

 the sixth. Head with elongated, lanceolate, distinct feath- 

 ers; above brownish olive; throat ash; belly yellow. Tail 

 and wing feathers varied with rufous. — Baird. 



Of the four North American species, belonging to this 

 genus, one only inhabits the Northern States. Of the oth- 

 ers, two have their nortliern limit at the Rio Grande, and 

 one is an inhabitant of Mexico. 



Myiarchus Crinitus, Cahanis.—Hn'E^ Great Crested 

 Flycatcuee. 



Audubon's Birds of America, Octavo edition, plate 57. 



Abundant throughout the State, especially in woods. It 

 is not so familiar as the King Bird, seldom approaching 

 the vicinity of the dwelling house. The deep woods are 

 its delight, and there it builds its nest, generally in the 

 hollow of a tree, at a considerable distance from the ground, 

 but occasionally in a fallen log or a hole in a fence rail. 

 We have never seen the nest, but learn from Audubon that 

 the eggs are from four to six, of a pale cream color, thickly 

 streaked with deep purplish brown, oi' different tints. One 

 brood only is raised in a season, and, the family remain 

 together until they leave us for the south in September. 



t 



The species is very pugnacious, but seems to lack the 

 daring courage of the Tyrannus intre2ndifs^ which prompts 

 it to attack the largest and most powerful of the rapacious 

 birds, whenever they approach its nest. The present bird 

 is more apt to battle with less dangerous foes. Among the 

 mfiles, during the love season, there are frequent wars, and 

 woe to the vanquished rival, lor his conqueror punishes 

 him without mercy. Audubon, in his plate of this bird, 



