204 BIRDS OF NORTH CAROLINA 



The name "Kingbird " is given to this flycatcher on account of its habit of attack- 

 ing larger birds, such as hawks, crows, and vultures, and driving them from the 

 neighborhood of its nest. It accomplishes this feat by its superior powers of flight, 

 which enable it to make matters so uncomfortable for the larger bird that a rapid 

 retreat becomes necessary to insure safety from discomfiture. It will occasionally 

 even alight on the back of a Turkey Vulture in its eagerness to drive the tres- 

 passer away. 



Genus Myiarchus (Cab.) 



188. Myiarchus crinitus (Linn.). CRESTED FLYCATCHER. 



Description. Olivaceous above, with bright chestnut on wings and tail, breast ashy gray, 

 belly clear yellow. Head somewhat puffy, but not really crested. Measurements of 30 

 Raleigh specimens: L., 7.75-9.00; W., 3.40-4.25; T., 3.60-3.75. 



Range in United States. Eastern United States in summer, east of the Great Plains. 



Range in North Carolina. Whole State in summer, breeding everywhere. 



FIG. 159. CRESTED FLYCATCHER. 



The Crested Flycatcher is a common summer visitor throughout the State, 

 arriving in spring a little earlier than the Kingbird, namely, about the middle of 

 April over the greater portion of the State and a little later in the mountain region. 

 In fall it has been observed as late as September. 



Unlike the other members of its family, this species makes its nest in holes in 

 trees, often in the cavities of old apple trees. The nesting period is in late May 

 and in June, and the nest is composed of fine grass, lined with feathers or hair. 

 Many individual pairs have a habit of using a shed snakeskin in the composition of 

 the nest. The eggs are usually five in number, occasionally four or six, and are 

 quite different in color and markings from those of any other of our birds, being 

 buffy brown in ground-color, streaked lengthwise with well defined lines and mark- 

 ings of purple and dark brown. 



Unlike the Kingbird, which frequents open country, the Crested Flycatcher is 

 chiefly a woodland bird, although it by no means despises orchards and groves as 

 breeding localities. 



