214 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS EGGS. 



445. Gray Kingbird. Tyrannus dominicensis. 



Range. West Indies; north in April to Florida and the South Atlantic States 

 to South Carolina and casually farther. 



This species is slightly larger than our Kingbird, (9 

 inches long), grayish instead of dark drab above, white 

 below, and without any white tip to tail. Like the common 

 Kingbird, it has a concealed orange patch on the crown. 

 Their habits and nesting habits are the same as those of our 

 common bird, but the nest is not generally as well built, 

 and nearly always is made largely of twigs. The three or 

 four eggs have a creamy or a creamy pink ground color, 

 [Creamy.] spotted and blotched with dark brown and lilac, most num- 



erously about the large end. Size 1.00 x .73. Tarpon 



Springs, Florida, May 28, 1902. Nest of twigs and weeds in a low bush. Col- 

 lector, J. A. Southley. 



446. Couch Kingbird. Tyrannus melancholicus couchii. 



Range. Mexico, north in summer to southern Texas. 



This species is very similar to the next but the throat and 

 breast are white, and the underparts a brighter yellow. 

 Like the other members of this genus, these build their 

 nests in any location in trees or bushes, making them of 

 twigs, weeds and moss. Their three or four eggs have a 

 creamy ground with a pinkish cast and are spotted with 

 brown and lilac. Size .97 x .12. 



447. Arkansas Kingbird. Tyrannus verticalis. 



Range. Western United States and southern British Provinces from Kansas 



and Minnesota west to the Pacific. 



This species has grayish upper parts, shading into dark- 

 er on the wings and tail, and lighter on the throat and 

 upper breast; the underparts are yellow, and there is a con- 

 cealed patch of orange on the crown. They are very abun- 

 dant throughout the west, where they have the same familiar 

 habits of the eastern species, nesting in all sorts of locations 

 such as would be used by the latter. Their nests are made 

 of plant fibres, weeds, string, paper or any trash that may 

 be handy, being sometimes quite bulky. Their eggs do 



not differ in any particular from those of the eastern bird, except that they may 



average a little smaller. Size .95 x .65. 



448. Cassin Kingbird. Tyrannus vociferans. 



Range. Western United States from the Rocky Mount- 

 ain region to California, and from Wyoming southward. 



This species is like the last except that the throat and 

 breast are darker. Their habits, nesting habits and eggs 

 are indistinguishable from those of the other Tyrant Fly- 

 catchers, and they are fully as courageous in the defense of 

 their homes against either man or bird, their notes resemb- 

 ling those of the common Kingbird of the east. 



