236 NESTS AND EGGS OF 



covered with, lichens. The inside depth was somewhat less than i.oo; 

 the diameter .50; external depth 1.50. No description of the eggs are 

 at hand, but they are doubtless the same as those belonging to other 

 birds of this family. 



440. Basilinna xantusi (LAWR.) [347.] 



Xantns's Hummingbird. 



Hab. Lower California. 



This Hummingbird occurs in the southern portion of Lower Cali- 

 fornia. It was first taken at Cape St. Lucas by Mr. Xantus, and de- 

 scribed by Mr. George N. Lawrence in 1860. I have no information 

 regarding its specific habits ; they perhaps do not differ essentially 

 from those which characterize other Hummingbirds. 



Prof. Ridgway describes the nest as composed of various soft veg- 

 etable fibres (especially raw cotton, spiders' webs, etc.), and attached to 

 small twigs. Size about 1.50 in diameter by about .80 in height, the 

 cavity about i.oo x .55~.6o. Eggs .47 x .31.* 



[442.] Milvulus tyrannus (LINN.) [302.] 



Fork-tailed Flycatcher. 



Hab. Mexico to South America. Accidental in the United States Mississippi, Louisiana, Kentucky, 

 New Jersey. 



This handsome Flycatcher with a very deeply forked tail is found 

 throughout tropical America. Its tail is about a foot long, and forked 

 as much as six to eight inches. The bird's occurrence in the United 

 States is purely accidental, and only a few specimens have thus far 

 been taken in the regions cited above. Its habits are said not to differ 

 essentially from those of the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher of our southern 

 fauna. 



Dr. Brewer describes an egg of this species obtained by Dr. Bal- 

 darnus, from Cayenne, as bearing a strong resemblance to the egg of 

 the common Kingbird. It has a clear white ground, and is spotted 

 with deep, bold markings of reddish-brown ; size .90 x .68. 



443. Milvulus forficatus (GMEL.) [301.] 



Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. 



Hab. Eastern Mexico and southwestern prairie districts of the United States, north to Indian Terri- 

 tory, Kansas and the southwestern portion of Missouri. Accidental in the Eastern States Virginia, New 

 Jersey, New England even as far north as Hudson Bay Territory and Manitoba. 



Known as the Swallow-tailed or Fork-tailed Flycatcher an ele- 

 gant, graceful bird, common in the southwestern portion of the United 

 States, from Kansas and southwestern Missouri southward especially 

 abundant in Texas. Mr. Singley states that in Lee county, Texas, 

 this bird nests in trees varying from six to twenty feet from the 

 ground. He describes a typical nest as built oi weeds, small stems 



* Manual N. A. Birds, p. 318. 



