Flycatchers 665 



THE FLYCATCHERS 



(Family Muscicapidcc) 



The Flycatchers constitute a very large group of small, exclusively Old 

 World birds, which should not be confounded with the so-called American Fly- 

 catchers (Tyrannid&\ although their habits are somewhat similar, since the 

 latter are not even oscinine birds at all. Altogether the Flycatchers do not 

 form a very sharply circumscribed group, which is perhaps hardly to be won- 

 dered at in one so large and varied, and it is possible to trace their affinities in 

 several directions. Thus in the mottled plumage of the nestling they show an 

 approach to the Thrushes (Twdida), yet from these they are distinguished by 

 the weak tarsi and feet, which quite incapacitate them for walking on the ground. 

 Certain of the genera also evince a likeness to the Babbling Thrushes (Timeliida), 

 others to the Wood-Shrikes (Prionopida], and more particularly to the Warblers 

 (Sylviid<B\ it being often a matter of difficulty, as Dr. Sharpe has pointed out, 

 to decide just where certain outlying genera should be placed. In a broad 

 sense, however, according to Mr. Gates, the "Flycatchers may be known by the 

 mottled plumage of the nestling, and by the presence of numerous hairs stretch- 

 ing from the forehead over the nostrils, and not unfrequently nearly to the base 

 of the bill. They are not to be confounded with the rictal bristles, which are 

 stiff and strong and lie laterally, nor are they to be confounded with the lengthened 

 shafts of the frontal feathers, which in some of the Thrushes resemble hairs." 



Typically the Flycatchers have a broad, flat bill, though in some it is ex- 

 tremely broad, and in others relatively long and slender or even diminutive; in 

 all, however, both edges of the mandibles are smooth, the upper one with a 

 simple terminal notch. The ten-primaried wing is variable, being usually long 

 and pointed, but sometimes shorter and rounded. The tail is also variable, 

 being sometimes comparatively short, but ordinarily it is relatively long, often 

 graduated, and not unfrequently has the central pair of feathers enormously 

 lengthened; the number of rectrices is always twelve. While it is difficult to 

 describe the plumage in brief, comprehensive terms, in general it may be said 

 that the prevailing hues are browns, chestnuts, olive-greens, blues of various 

 shades, varied with black, white, and yellow. The sexes may be similar, but 

 perhaps oftener are quite unlike; ornamental head crests are of frequent 

 occurrence. 



The Flycatchers, as implied by their name, are almost strictly insectivorous 

 birds, catching most of their prey on the wing, though also seeking it to some 

 extent among the branches and leaves of the trees or the backs of cattle or occa- 

 sionally hovering like a small Hawk. They are tame, mostly solitary birds, 

 sitting quietly on some vantage point from which they sally forth to capture 

 an insect, often with an audible snap of the bill, and to which they return again 

 and again. Some of them frequent the dense forests, but the majority prefer 

 open woodland, orchards, and gardens, where they are seen singly or in pairs. 

 They are rather weak though graceful on the wing, flying in an undulating or 



