186 BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 



ORDER PASSERES. PERCHING BIRDS. 



SUBORDER CLAMATOKES. SONGLESS PERCHING BIRDS. 

 FAMILY TYRANNID-33. TYRANT FLYCATCHERS. 



THE FLYCATCHERS. 



Of the several species of this highly beneficial family which occur in Pennsylva- 

 nia as summer residents or passing visitants but two, viz : the Kingbird and com- 

 mon Pewee, are generally known to those who are not interested in ornithological 

 pursuits. Both of these birds are common breeders about the habitations of man, 

 and unlike most others of their kin are not shy or difficult to approach. Although 

 at times some of the Flycatchers descend to the earth for food, it is safe to say 

 that these birds, collectively considered, are seldom observed on the ground feed- 

 ing. Nine representatives of this family occur in Pennsylvania, and all but two- 

 Train's and the Olive-sided Flycatchers breed here regularly, and probably both 

 birds last named breed sparingly and irregularly, within our limits. I have been 

 informed that traillii has been seen here in summer, and borealisa. very rare 

 visitor Mr. August Kock is quite positive breeds occasionally in the mountain- 

 ous regions of Lycoming county. Flycatchers, as the name would indicate, feed 

 largely on winged insects, and some also subsist to a small extent, in the fall and 

 winter especially, on small fruit of different kinds. 



"The structure of the bill is admirably adapted for the capture of winged insects ; 

 the broad and deeply fissured mandibles form a capacious mouth, while the long 

 bristles are of service in entangling the creatures in a trap and restraining their 

 struggles to escape. The shape of the wings and tail confers the power of -rapid and 

 varied aerial evolutions necessary for the successful pursuit of active flying insects. 

 A little practice in field ornithology will enable one to recognize the Flycatchers from 

 their habit of perching in wait for their prey upon some prominent outpost, in a 

 peculiar attitude, with the wings and tail drooped and vibrating in readiness for in- 

 stant action, and of dashing into the air, seizing the passing insect with a quick 

 movement and a click of the bill, and then returning to their stand. Although 

 certain Oscines have somewhat the same habit, these pursue insects from place to 

 place, instead of perching in wait at a particular spot, and their forays are not made 

 with such admirable elan. Dependent entirely upon insect food, the Flycatchers 

 are necessarily migratory in our latitude. They appear with great regularity in 

 spring and depart on the approach of cold weather in the fall. * * * The voice, 

 susceptible of little modulation, is usually harsh and strident, though some species 

 have no unmusical whistle or twitter." Cone's Key. 



Bill broad at base, culmen flattened or rounded ; the maxilla tapers to a sharp 

 point, curved downward at the end (being hooked). The small and roundish nos- 

 trils are partly covered with bristles ; gape wide with long stiff' bristles ; legs rather 

 short; feet small and weak, with rather lengthened, curved and sharp-pointed 

 <;laws ; tail long, twelve feathers ; tarsi naked ; sexes alike ; medium sized or very 

 small ; the larger species have blackish bills, and smaller kinds usually have yellow- 

 ish colored lower mandibles ; eyes brown, legs and feet blackish. 



Genus, Tyrannus : Head (adults) with concealed patch of orange-red ; wings long 

 and pointed ; second and third quills longest ; first and fourth about equal but shorter 

 than second and third; in adults the first two or three quills are rather abruptly nar- 

 rowed near the tips; tarsus little longer than hind toe with claw; the broad and 

 nearly even tail is shorter than the wings ; plumage dark above, white below, tail 

 broadly tipped with white. 



Genus, Myiarchus : Head with well developed crest; wings 1'ong, a little rounded, 

 about equal to long, broad and even tail; first primary shorter than sixth and 



