144 PASSERES : Perching Birds 



PASSERES. (Sparrow-like birds): Nearly half of all known 

 birds, or about 7000 species and subspecies, are included in this 

 Order; of these about 600 are found in North America, represent- 

 ing twenty-two families. Foot perfectly adapted for grasping, 

 though members of one family are ground dwellers. Forms and 

 colors highly various. 



ARKANSAS KINGBIRD 



(447. Tyrannus verticalis) 8i in. 



Tail black, edged with white (outer web of outer feather) ; back 

 dark ashy; head and neck clear light ashy; belly yellow; crown 

 with orange spot, concealed except when feathers are raised. 



A noisy, active, fearless bird, who always advertises his 

 presence by a wide variety of calls. 



Where trees do not offer nesting-sites, this bird utilizes any 

 sort of artificial support, such as a telephone pole or fence post. 



CASSIN KINGBIRD 



(448. Tyrannus vociferans) 9 in. 



Brownish gray above; neck and breast dark gray, contrasting 

 with white throat and dull yellow belly; edge of tail not white. 

 (Compare with Arkansas Kingbird.) A concealed crown-patch. 



In shape, habits, and action like preceding, but identified by 

 duller and darker coloration and by lack of the conspicuous tail- 

 edging; less noisy, more musical. 



SULPHUR-BELLIED FLYCATCHER 



(451. Myiodynastes luteiventris) 8 in. 



The sharp black streaks on under parts, against white throat 

 and pale yellow breast and belly, are distinctive; back dusky, 

 buffy-edged; crown streaky, with bright yellow patch, con- 

 cealed except when feathers are raised; tail mostly rufous; a 

 black stripe from bill to nape. 



