NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 241 



453. Myiarchus mexicanus (Kaup.) [311.] 



Mexican Crested Flycatclier. 



Hab. Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas, southward to Guatemala. 



The Mexican Crested Flycatcher was found by Dr. Merrill breed- 

 ing in considerable numbers on the Lower Rio Grande in Texas. In 

 its notes and habits it appears to closely resemble M. crinittis. With 

 one exception, no snake skins were used in the construction of any of 

 the nests. They were composed of felted locks of wool and hairs, and 

 were placed not far from the ground in old Woodpeckers' holes or in 

 natural cavities of decayed trees or stumps. Thirty-two eggs have an 

 average size of .93X.66, the extremes being 1.03X.73 and .82X.65. 

 The eggs are similar to those of M. crittitiis^ except that they have a 

 paler ground color and the markings are not so heavy. Mr. Norris has 

 a set of five eggs taken May 8, 1887, in Starr county, on the extreme 

 southern border of Texas ; they measure .86X.65, .88x.66, .86X.64, 

 .89X.63, .86X.65. 



453a. Myiarclius mexicanus magister Ridgw. 



Arizona Crested Flycatcher. 



Hab. Western Mexico, north to Southern Arizona. 



Mr. W. B. D. Scott found this bird to be common in spring and 

 summer about Tucson, Florence, Riverside, and in the foot-hills of 

 the Catalina Mountains up to about 4500 feet, in Southern Ari- 

 zona. About Tucson it frequents the mesquite and giant cactus 

 groves. In the Catalinas, at an altitude of 4000 feet, a nest was found 

 built in a deserted Woodpecker's hole in a dead sycamore stub ; it was 

 entirely similar to that of M. crinitus^ even to the traditional snake 

 skins, and contained five eggs nearly ready to be hatched, very similar 

 to those of M. crmiitis^ but a little larger. About Tucson the birds 

 nest commonly in deserted Woodpeckers' holes in the giant cactus. 



An egg of this Flycatcher in my cabinet, taken in Pinal county, 

 Arizona, March 21, 1886, measures 1.03X.70. 



454. Myiarchus cinerascens Lawr. [313.] 



Ash-throated Flycatcher. 



Hab. Western United Stales from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific, north to Oregon, Nevada, 

 Utah and Colorado, south over the highlands of Mexico to northern Central America. 



The Ash-throated Flycatcher is a common species west of the 

 Rocky Mountains ; in some places it is abundant. It is described as 

 being shy, and of retiring habits, preferring the solitude of deep, shady 

 forests where its insect food abounds. It is usually sole possessor of the 

 tree in which its nest is built ; all intruders are violently assailed and 

 compelled to retreat. The nests are placed in natural cavities of trees 

 of almost any kind, in a deserted squirrel's or Woodpecker's hole. 

 The clutches of eggs range from four to seven, ordinarily five or six, 



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