346 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. 



"The young is hardly appreciably different, having merely the wing- 

 coverts tinged with rusty at the ends." (Hist. N. Am. B.) 



This bird, while probably more numerous than the Kingbird, at 

 least in the more heavily wooded districts, is by no means so well 

 known. It is essentially a woodland species, being commonest in 

 the wildest parts of the forest, where its slirill, querulous, whistling 

 notes are in accord with the surroundings. It is by no means con- 

 fined to such localities, however, but frequently takes up its abode 

 in orchards, even in the midst of towns, and occasionally becomes 

 rather a familiar bird. At Mount Carmel several pairs nested every 

 summer inside the town limits, and one pair raised a brood in a 

 nest which was built in a window corner of the county jail, a brick 

 building, which stood in the very centre of the town. The usual posi- 

 tion, however, of the nest of this species is a hole in a tree, either 

 a natural cavity or a deserted Woodpecker's hole. The nest, as a rule, 

 is composed of a very miscellaneous assortment of materials, such 

 as dried grasses, feathers, hair, etc., to which is usually added one 

 or more cast-off snake skins, perhaps for ornament. The eggs are 

 l^robably more remarkable for their coloring and marking than those 

 of any other North American bird, being "scratched" over with hues 

 of rich purple and brown on a buffy or cream-colored ground. 



"While rarely attacking birds of large size, the Great Crested Ely- 

 catcher is a tyrant among the smaller species, charging with great 

 impetuosity upon every one which comes in the immediate vicinity of 

 the nesting place. 



Genus SAYORNIS Bonaparte. 



Sayornis Bonap. Coll. Delnttre, 1854,87. Type, Tyrannnlaaiigricans Swains. 

 Aulanax Cabanis, Journal Jiir Orn. 1856,1. Same type. 



"Gen. Chak. Head with a blended depressed moderate crest. Tarsus decidedly 

 longer than middle toe, which is scarcely longer than the hind toe. Bill rather narrow ; 

 width of base about half the culraen. Tail, broad, long, slightly forked; equal to the 

 wings, which are moderately pointed, and reach to the middle of the tail. First primary 

 shorter than sixth." {Hist. N. Am. B.) 



This genus agrees with Mylarchus in the length of the broad tail, 

 but has a longer tarsus and a different style of coloration. 



The tlu-ee North American species, although very distinct in col- 

 oration, agree closely in habits. They are all familiar birds, fond of 

 the society of man, taking up their abode about the barn-yard, and 

 placing their nests underneath the carriage-shed or any suitable 

 place about the farm buildings. 



