BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA, 



191 



lish tint appear as if traced with a pen. The egg's measure about .86 

 long by .65 wide. The nest of this bird is constructed of various mate- 

 rials, such as feathers, hay, leaves, etc. Mr. Gentry some few years ago 

 found a nest of this species, near Germantown, which was placed be- 

 tween the bifurcated branch of an apple tree. " It was composed almost 

 entirely of feathers of our common Gallus, which were held together by 

 long grasses." The note of this bird is a harsh squeak or kind of whis- 

 tle, exceedingly unpleasant to the ear, and which can be heard to a con- 

 siderable distance. The food of this species is mainly of an insectivo- 

 rous nature ; in the late summer and autumn different kinds of berries 

 are oftentimes fed upon. Some writers state tjiat the Crested Flycatch- 

 ers like the Kingbirds, are equally fond of honey-bees. Mr. Gentry says: 

 " From the vast numbers of ground beetles, which have been noticed in 

 the numerous stomachs which we have examined, it is obvious that the 

 species leads almost wholly a terrestrial existence for a week or so after 

 its arrival. As the season advances, and the higher types of insects 

 swarm into existence, it becomes more exclusively arboreal and aerial, 

 so to speak. We have watched these birds for hours, while perched upon 

 a dead branch of a tree, in the active enjoyment of procuring a full meal. 

 Their movements are perfectly ludicrous. There they sit, bobbing the 

 head this way and then that way, now up and then down, ever on the 

 alert for caitiffs, which form their appropriate diet. Hosts of lepidop- 

 tera, both larvae and imagoes, are greedily devoured." 



In the following table will be found the results of the few examina- 

 tions which I have made of the Crested Flycatcher : 



GENUS SAYORNIS BONAPARTE. 

 Sayornis phcebe (LATH.). 



Phoebe; Pewee. 



DESCRIPTION (Plate 91). 



"Sides of breast and upper parts dull olive-brown, fading slightly toward the tail ; 

 top and sides of head dark-brown ; a few dull white feathers on the eyelids; lower 

 parts dull yellowish-white, mixed with brown on the chin, and in some individuals 

 across the breast; quills brown, the outer primary, secondaries, and tertials edged 

 with dull white ; in some individuals the greater coverts faintly edged with dull- 

 white ; tail brown, outer edge of lateral leathers dull-white, outer edges of the rest 



