FLYCATCHER FAMILY, 29 
While, as stated above, our investigations have not proceeded far 
enough to enable a final statement to be made regarding this wood- 
pecker’s economic status, enough is known to justify the belief that 
the bird, by its destruction of insects the year round, is much more 
beneficial than injurious, despite its occasional depredations on 
apples and other fruit. 
The sapsuckers of the genus Sphyrapicus have been accused of 
doing much harm by boring into fruit and other trees for sap, and 
while the charge is well founded the injury is largely counterbalanced 
by the bird’s destruction of insects. The sapsuckers are not numer- 
ous enough, however, to be reckoned an important factor either way. 
FLYCATCHER FAMILY. 
(Tyrannide.) 
Among our useful birds the flycatchers (Tyrannide) take high rank. 
As is well known their principal food consists of insects captured in 
mid-air. If the name flycatcher implied that these birds subsisted 
largely upon flies (Diptera), it would be a misnomer, for nearly all the 
species eat far more Hymenoptera than Diptera. In fact wasp- 
catcher would be much more appropriate. The name, however, is 
intended to suggest the idea that the birds are flying when they catch 
their prey. The capture of food in this way implies that the species 
are strong, rapid flyers, and capable of making quick turns in the air. 
In addition to flying insects, the flycatchers eat spiders and other 
wingless forms and some vegetable food which they pick up from the 
ground or snatch from trees. The animal food of the 6 species 
discussed in the following pages averages 90 percent of their diet. 
Several flycatchers in the eastern part of the country are quite 
domestic in their habits and frequent orchards and gardens, and some 
species nest about buildings. In California some of the correspond- 
ing species have not yet become so accustomed to the presence of 
man and his works, but they are learning rapidly. The black phoebe 
is perhaps as familiar there as is the common phoebe in the East; but 
the kingbird of California has not fully decided that the orchard is a 
safe and altogether desirable place for nesting purposes. Sixteen spe- 
cies and subspecies of flycatchers have been found within the limits 
of this State. Six of them are numerous enough to be of economic 
importance. 
ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER. 
(Mytarchus cinerascens.) 
The ash-throated flycatcher is a summer resident of the-lower and 
warmer parts of the State. Its habit of nesting in cavities perhaps 
causes it to seek the vicinity of farm buildings, where such accommo- 
dations are numerous. It builds in hollow trees also, which may often 
