FLYCATCHERS. 281 



" Its range is very extensive, as I have specimens procured 

 by Mr. Townsend on the Columbia River,* and it has been 

 observed by Dr. Richardson as far northward as lat. 65°. 

 The former of these naturalists states that he found 'these 

 birds at the site of old Fort Astoria, on the Columbia River. 

 They were very noisy and active ; the voice is strong and harsh. 

 The Indians, however, say that they are rarely seen, and that 

 they do not breed hereabouts.' Mr. Titian Peale has ob- 

 tained it in the neighborhood of Philadelphia, and I have the 

 body of one procured there by himself in October, 1836." 



d. The cry of the Canada Jays seemed to Mr. Samuels 

 like that of the Blue Jay ; to Mr. Maynard, like that of the 

 lynx. These birds have also a low chatter ; but their notes 

 vary, like those of their familiar relatives, though not, so far 

 as I know, ever imitative. 



§ 19. The TYRANNID^ (or true Flycatchers) are the 

 sole North American representatives of the Clamatores^^ and 

 in turn are themselves represented only by the Tyranninm or 

 typical Flycatchers. (With the exception of the Pyrocephali) 

 they are characterized as follows. Sexes alike in coloration ; 

 colors plain, being green, brown, or gray, usually olive-tinted, 

 yellow and white. Birds subcrested, or with erectile crown- 

 feathers. Bill about one third as deep as long, but half as 

 wide, conspicuously hooked, notched, and bristled (pi. I, figs. 

 20, 21) ; mandibles rather thin and hollow ; tarsi scutellate as 

 already described ; primaries ten, tail-feathers twelve. (Fig. 

 15.) The Flycatchers are eminently insectivorous and migra- 

 tory, though some species feed partly upon berries, and mi- 

 grate quite late in the fall. They are, as a rule, rather pug- 

 nacious, and are never gregarious. Though not possessed of 

 much power of flight, they rarely touch the ground. They are, 

 however, admirably clever on the wing, and, darting from their 

 posts of observation into the air, often snap up several insects 

 at a time, and with distinct clicks of the bill. They are ex- 



* The bird -which inhabits the Co- the Oregon Jay {Perisoreus obscurus). 

 lumbia River region is now considered — W. B. 

 a distinct species, and is known as ^"^ See beginning of Chapter I. 



