THE FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER. 233 



eggs are ovate, and tliey measure 0.88 liy (».6(;, 0..S8 l)y Oj;."), and 0.89 l)y 0.G3 

 incir (equal to 2-2.35 by 16.7(i, 22.35 by 16.51, and 22. Gl by l(j millimetres").' 



Tliero are no eggs of this species in the United States National ]\Iuseum 

 collection, and I have been unal)l(' to obtain a fully identified specimen for 

 illustration. 



86. Milvulus forficatus (Gmelin). 



SCISSOR-TAILEI) FLYCATCHER. 



Mmcicnpa forficata Gmelin, Systeina Naturoe I, i, 1788, 931. 

 Milvulus forficatus Swainson, Classiflciition of Birds, II, 1827, 225, 



(B 123, C 241, R 301, C 3G7, U 443.) 



Geographical range: From Nicarasna, Central America, north tlirong-h eastern 

 Mexico and in the United States, reguhuly through Texas and the Indian Territory to 

 southern Kansas. Occasional in southwestern Missouri, western Arkansas, and Louisiann. 

 Accidental in Florida, Virginia, Illinois, New Jersey, the New England States, Manitoba, 

 and even north to York Factory, Hudson Bay, and the Mackenzie River Valley, Northwest 

 Territory, Dominion of Canada. 



The Scissor-tailed, also known as "Swallow-tailed," Flycatcher, and more 

 frequently as the "Texan Bird of Paradise," is a common summer resident 

 throughout the greater portion of Texas and the Indian Territt)ry, and extends 

 its breeding range northward into southern Kansas. It usuall}) arrives in the 

 southwestern portioiis of Texas about the middle of March, and i-eturns to its 

 winter homes in Central America in October. Mr. W. E. Grover, of Galveston, 

 Texas, informs me that some of these birds remain in that vicinity throughout 

 the year, moving about from place to jdace in small of flocks from five to six, 

 and occasionally as many as a dozen may be seen together. Its breeding 

 rano-e is coincident with its distribution in the United States. 



The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher is the most graceful and attractive species of 

 this familv found within our borders, and is certain to be noticed by everyone 

 wherever it occurs. Its long outer tail feathers, which it can open and close 

 at will, and its pinkish Hanks make it a conspicuous object among the Texan 

 liirds. In all of its movements on the wing it is extremely graceful and pleas- 

 ing to the eye, especially when fluttering slowly fronr tree to tree on the rather 

 oi)en prairie, uttering its twittering notes, which sound like the syllables "psee- 

 psee" frequently repeated, and whi{;h resemble those of the Kingbird, but are 

 neither as loud nor as shrill; again, when. chasing each other in play or anger, 

 in swift flight from tree; to tree, when it utters a harsh note like "thish-thish." 

 It is essentially a bird of the more open country, and shuns extensive timbered 

 tracts, although it is frequently observed on the outskirts of these. It rarely 

 lights on the ground, and its long tail makes it then a])pear rather awkward in 

 its movements. Although included among the Tyrant Flycatchers, it is rather 

 amiable and social in disposition; and after the birds are once nurted several 



'The Auk, VoL IX, 1892, pp. 251 and 322. 



