210 ZOOLOGY— BIRDS. 



Miisriciijiii leucomus, Gieatjd, Birds Texas, 1841, pi. vi, I'. 1. — Sclat., Proc. Zool, 

 Soc, IS55, (i(>. 



Hab. — All Mexico ; Guatemala; Arizona. 



This beautiful flycatcher has as yet been observed in our territory only 

 in the southeastern portion of Arizona, where it is diffused over a consider- 

 able extent of country as a summer resident. It appears not to inhabit the 

 high mountains nor the extreme lowlands, but to occupy an intermediate 

 position, and to find the rocky hills covered with a sparse growth of oak 

 most congenial to its habits. Of its breeding habits, nothing is known ; 

 though that it rears its young in such localities as above mentioned there 

 can lie no doubt, since I have taken the young birds in the first plumage, 

 and still under charge of the parents, at Rock Canon, July 21, and again 

 of the same age at Camp Crittenden, August 29. During the latter part of 

 August, they appear to become more numerous ; this being due to their more 

 general distribution at the close of the nesting season. By the latter part of 

 September, very few remain; and probably the species winters far to the 

 southward. Their motions are an almost exact reflection of those of the 

 common Redstart, which they so much resemble in form. 



With half shut wings and outspread tail, they pass rapidly along the limbs 

 of trees, now and then making a sudden dart for a passing fly, which secured 

 they again alight and resume their search. They are constantly in motion, 

 and rarely remain in the same tree many moments. It not infrequently 

 may be seen clinging to the trunk of a tree while it seizes a grub or minute 

 insect which its sharp eyes have detected hidden in the bark. 



Bill and feet black. 



The adult plumage of the sexes differs little, though the coloration in 

 the female is quite perceptibly duller throughout. The black is less 

 lustrous; the wings are blackish brown instead of pure black; the white 

 on the wing confined to the coverts, and only just visible on the edges of 

 the secondaries. 



Young male, first plumage: upper parts dull black, only slightly lus- 

 trous ; white nearly as in the adult, viz, a spot on the lower eye lid, a patch 

 on the wing, including the greater and middle coverts, the outer edge of 

 first primary only, the outer edges of the secondaries, the inside of wings, 



