CHAPTER XIII 



FLYCATCHERS 



Flycatchers are songless perching birds ; not that they are 

 voiceless, but the vocal organs are not so highly developed 

 as those of other perchers. This family is peculiar to Amer- 

 ica, as the Old World flycatchers differ so radically from the 

 family found in the New World as to constitute a different 

 family. Flycatchers are mostly tropical, thirty-five species 

 being found in the United States. Highly migratory, these 

 insectivorous birds seldom appear on their breeding-grounds 

 until the foliage is well under way and insect life abundant. 

 Flycatchers, with their dull plumage, are generally of soli- 

 tary disposition; thej'' perch in some conspicuous place, 

 where they dart out after passing insects, then return to the 

 same perch. They are highly beneficial to agriculture and 

 horticulture. 



SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER 



A singularly attractive bird, readily recognized by its 

 remarkable tail, it is common in Texas, Oklahoma, and 

 Arkansas, extending the range irregularly into many of the 

 more eastern and more northern states. In Texas these 

 birds may be seen in great numbers perched on the tele- 

 phone wires. They are increasing in number, a fortunate 

 circumstance, as Texas is scourged with insects. This bird 

 keeps up the reputation of the family by living peaceably 



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