156 



Economic Status. The name Kingbird is of obvious application, but 

 the other term applied to it, "Bee Martin," naturally raises suspicion as 

 to its feeding habits. It is accused of catching honey bees, and most 

 circumstantial accounts of its doing so are given credence. The record 

 given below shows that the charge of taking bees is to some extent true, 

 but it shows also that the bees caught are mainly drones that can well be 

 spared. The old story of the Kingbird opening its brilliant crest to decoy 

 the bee within reach under the impression that it is a flower may be dis- 

 missed as groundless folk-lore, though it has received wide circulation and 

 acceptation. Of 624 Kingbirds' stomachs examined by the United States 

 Department of Agriculture in 1911, 22 contained a total of 61 bees — 51 of 

 which were drones, 8, workers, and 2 were indeterminate. The remainder 

 of the food consists of other insects, including many noxious forms and a 

 little wild fruit and berries. 



Genus — Myiarchus. Crested Flycatchers. 



452. Crested Flycatcher, great crested flycatcher, fr. — le moucherolle 

 a HtrppE. Myiarchus crinitus. L, 9-01. Olive-brown above, turning to rufous on the 

 inner webs of the tail. Throat and upper breast, ash-grey. Underparts, sulphur-yellow. 



Distinctions. The above coloration is distinctive. No other Flycatcher in eastern 

 Canada is similarly coloured. 



Field Marks. The bright yellow colour below and the long rufous tail are the most 

 striking recognition marks. The loud, hoarse cry, a, long drawn "Wheeeeep" and a lower 

 "whip-whip-whip," are very characteristic though sometimes mistakable for the notes of 

 the Olive-sided Flycatcher. 



Nesting. In holes abandoned by Woodpeckers. The bird shows a remarkable pre- 

 ference for cast snake skins as nesting material. Scarcely a nest of the species but contains 

 one or more. 



Distribution. Eastern North America. In Canada all along the southern border, 

 breeding wherever found. 



A Flycatcher of the woodland tree tops. Its voice is constantly heard 

 in the summer, but rarely at any distance from dense forest. 



Economic Status. Beetles, locusts, ants, crickets, flies, and moths 

 constitute the bulk of its food. It takes more parasitic wasps and beetles 

 than most birds but not enough to counterbalance the pests it destroys. 



Genus — Sayornis. Phwbes. 



456. Phoebe, bridge pewee. pr. — le moucherolle brtjn. Sayornis phcebe. 

 L, 6-99. Plate XXIII A. 



Distribution. The small,, greenish Flycatchers are perhaps the most difficult of 

 American birds to separate. Fortunately each has a typical habitat and characteristic 

 note which form good guides to differentiation. The Phcebe is the largest of these puzzling 

 little birds and the most easily recognized. It is most likely to be confused with the Wood 

 Pewee, but examined in the hand, the larger and stouter legs and feet of the Phcebe 

 are easily recognizable. 



Field Marks. The head of the Phoebe seems a little darker and in stronger contrast 

 with the body than in the other Flycatchers. The sideways sweep of the tail is character- 

 istic and in adults the lack of wing-bars. The note, however, a quickly uttered "Phce-be" 

 with a strong accent on the first syllable, is the most easily recognized field mark. The 

 Wood Pewee's note is long-drawn and that of the Least is short and explosive. 



Nesting. A large structure of mud, moss, and grasses under bridges, the overhang 

 of buildings, or ledges of rock. 



Distribution. Eastern America, north to near tree limit. Breeds in Canada wherever 

 found. 



