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MusciCAPA CRINITA— Linn. 



GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER. 



Great Crested Flycatcher, Muscicapa crinita, Wila. Amer. Orn. 



Muscicapa criniia, Boriap. Syn. 



Great Crested Flycatcher, Nutt. Man. 



Great Crested Flycatcher, Muscicapa crinita, Aud. Orn. Biog. 



Specific Character — Bill very strong ; head crested ; tail long, the 

 iFeathers broad ; the inner webs, except the middle pair, brownish 

 red. Adult with the head crested, which with the plumage of the 

 upper parts, is dull olive ; wings brown, the outer webs of the pri- 

 maries margined with rufus, those of the secondaries with dull 

 yellowish-white — secondary coverts and first row of small coverts 

 tipped with the same ; tail long, the feathers rather broad, their in- 

 ner webs reddish-brown, excepting the middle feather, which, with 

 the outer webs of all, are plain brown ; throat and fore neck gray- 

 ish blue ; rest of the lower parts and edges of the wings yellow. — 

 Female similar. Length eight inches and a half, wing four. 



The Great Crested Flycatcher arrives among us about the middle 

 of May, and dwells in the tops of the highest trees until the latter 

 part of September, or early in October, according to the supply of its 

 food, which consists chiefly of winged insects. Though remain- 

 ing with us throughout the summer, it cannot be said to be very 

 abundant at that season. It is usually observed in the woods among 

 the heavy timber, and sometimes it resorts to the orchards. It is 

 noted for its quarrelsome disposition, and loud and shrill voice, 

 which is at all times audible above all the rest of our Flycatchers. 

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