376 THE ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER. 
Beauties they are too, creamy white with bold and handsome spots of chestnut 
in two shades, and lilac-gray. Incubation is accomplished in twelve or thirteen 
days, and the youngsters fly in a matter of two weeks. 
These Kingbirds are model parents, devoted in brooding and courageous 
in defense. Noisy they are to a fault, gurrulous in an unnumbered host of 
cajolatives and ecstatics, as well as expletives. Unlike the members of 
Tyrannus tyrannis, they are good neighbors even among their own kind. At 
the call of need neighbors rally to the common defense, but this is usually in 
villages where demesnes adjoin. On several occasions I have found other 
birds nesting peaceably in the same tree with these Kingbirds; and, as in the 
case of T. tyrannus, Bullock Orioles appear to be rather particular friends. 
The nests shown in the cut on preceding page are the work of one pair 
of birds. Embarrassed by a wealth of string and unable to decide which of 
two good locations to utilize, the birds built in both; the female laid eggs in 
both, three in one and two in the other. Moreover, she sat in both, day and 
day about, a bird of a divided mind. 
No. 144. 
ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER. 
A. O. U. No. 454. Myiarchus cinerascens (lawrence). 
Description.—Adults: Above dull grayish brown changing to clear brown 
on crown; wings dusky brown, the middle and greater coverts tipped broadly, and 
the secondaries edged with pale buffy brown or dull whitish, the primaries edged, 
except toward tips, with cinnamon-rufous; tail darker than back, with paler 
grayish brown edgings, that of outermost rectrix sometimes nearly white; tail 
feathers, except central pair, chiefly cinnamon-rufous on inner webs; sides of head 
and neck gray (slightly tinged with brown) fading into much paler gray on chin, 
throat, and chest, changing to pale yellowish on breast and remaining underparts ; 
yellow of underparts strengthening posteriorly, and axillars and under wing- 
coverts clear (primrose) yellow. Bill blackish; feet and legs black; iris brown. 
Length of adult male about 8.35 (212) ; wing 3.94 (100) ; tail 3.63 (92) ; bill .75 
(19); tarsus .gI (23). 
Recognition Marks.—Chewink size; brownish gray above; ashy throat 
shading into pale yellow of remaining underparts. 
Nesting.—Nest: a natural cavity or deserted Flicker hole, copiously lined 
with wool, hair, or other soft materials. Eggs: 3-6, usually 4, buffy or creamy as 
to ground, but heavily marked, chiefly in curious lengthwise pattern, with streaks 
of purplish chestnut of several degrees of intensity. Av. size, .88 x .65 (22.4x 
16.5). Season. first week in June; one brood. 
