240 NESTS AND EGGS OP 



the many nests tie examined in the Catalina Mountain region shows a 

 decided preference for the evergreen oaks over other trees. The nest, 

 which is commonly from twenty to twenty-five feet from the ground, is 

 most always placed near the extremity of a branch, and is hidden by the 

 thick leaves. Six nests and a large series of the eggs of this species 

 before me do not differ essentially from those of T. tyrannus or T. 

 verticalis. 



449. Pitangus derblanus (Kaup.) [308.] 



Derby Flycatcher. 



Hab. Northern South America, Central America, Mexico, north to the Valley of the Rio Grande 

 in Texas. 



A large, spirited-looking Flycatcher of Mexico and southward, 

 lately found on the Lower Rio Grande in Texas. It is said to build its 

 nest chiefly in thorny bushes and trees ; the structure is large and 

 dome-shaped, like a Magpie's nest, with an entrance on one side. It 

 is composed of twigs, coarse straws, dried mosses, lichens, etc. The 

 eggs are from three to five, sometimes six in number; creamy- white, 

 speckled, spotted and blotched, chiefly at the larger end, with umber- 

 brown, chestnut and lilac. Average size of ten eggs is 1.20X.80; an 

 average specimen measures 1.16 x .75. 



452. Myiarchus crinitus (Lynn.) [312.] 



Crested Flycatcher. 



Hab. Eastern United States, west to the Plains, north to Southern Canada, south in winter through 

 Eastern Mexico and Central America to Costa Rica. 



The Great-crested Flycatcher is an abundant bird in the wood- 

 lands of Eastern United States as far north as Massachusetts. Mr. 

 Thomas Mcllwraith states that it is a regular summer resident along the 

 southern frontier of Ontario, Canada, arriving early in May. During 

 the summer months the loud, harsh cries of this species are familiar 

 sounds in the woods, which, when once known, are easily recognized. 

 The Great-crested Flycatcher breeds throughout its United States 

 range. It builds in the hollows of trees, post-holes, and, even Bluebird 

 and Martin boxes are sometimes occupied. The nest is made of slen- 

 der twigs, grasses, fine stems and rootlets, and cast-off snake skins are 

 invariably found among the materials. 



The eggs are remarkable for their coloration, having a ground of 

 buffy-brown, streaked longitudinally by lines sharp and scratchy in 

 style, and markings of purple and darker brown ; four to six in num- 

 ber; average size, .82 x.62. The smallest egg selected from one hun- 

 dred specimens measures .76 x .62 ; the largest .93 x .70. The eggs are 

 so peculiar in their style of markings that they may be easily identi- 

 fied, and all the eggs of the North American species of the genus 

 Myiarchus are alike in character. 



