. 



272 LAXD-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 



in the neighborhood of Philadelphia, and I have the body of 

 one procured there by himself in October, 1836." 



(d). The cry of the Canada Jays seemed to Mr. Samuels 

 like that of the Blue Jay, to Mr. Maynard, like that of the 

 lynx. These birds have also a low chatter, but their notes 

 vary, like those of their familiar relatives, though not, so far 

 as I know, ever imitative . 



19. The Tyrannidse (or true flycatchers) are the sole 

 North American representatives of the Clamatores, 69 and in 

 turn are themselves represented only by the Tymnnince or 

 typical flycatchers. (With the exception of the PyrocepJiali) 

 they are characterized as follows. Sexes alike in coloration ; 

 colors plain, being green, brown, or gray, usually olive-tinted, 

 yellow and white. Birds, subcrested, or with erectile crown- 

 feathers. Bill about one third as deep as long, but half as 

 wide, conspicuously hooked, notched, and bristled (PI. I, figs. 

 20, 21) ; mandibles rather thin and hollow ; tarsi scutellate as al- 

 ready described ; primaries ten, tail-feathers twelve. (Fig. 15.) 

 The ftycatchers are eminently insectivorous and migratory, 

 though some species feed partly upon berries, and migrate quite 

 late in the fall. They are, as a rule, rather pugnacious, and 

 are never gregarious. They rarely touch the ground, though 

 not possessed of much power of flight. They are, however, 

 admirabty clever on the wing, and, darting from their posts 

 of observation into the air, often snap up several insects at a 

 time, and with distinct clicks of the bill. They are extremely 

 energetic, and often show it in their indefinably characteristic 

 voice, which, though never strictly musical, is yet pleasing and 

 striking. The Great Crested Flycatchers build their nests in 

 the hollows of trees, and the Pewees about buildings or on 

 rocks ; but the others build their nests (varying in neatness) 

 in bushes or trees. The eggs are four or five, and white, 

 creamy, or buff, in most cases unmarked or spotted with brown 

 and lilac. 



69 See beginning of Chapter I. 



