396 MICHIGAN BIRD LIFE. 
ravenously on berries of sassafras and spice bush and to a less extent on 
wild cherries, June berries (Amelanchier), honeysuckle, blackberries and 
a few other species. They begin to move southward by the first of Septem- 
ber and are all gone by the end of the month. 
There has been much speculation about the use of the brilliant crown- 
patch of the Kingbird, some writers claiming that the birds use this as 
an imitation flower to attract insects, snapping them up as they come 
within reach. Actual observation of this performance does not seem to 
have been recorded and it would be well for those who have opportunity 
to watch hungry Kingbirds in reference to this alleged habit, and publish 
the results. 
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION. 
Adult (sexes alike): Top and sides of head clear black, the middle of the crown with a 
concealed patch of orange red; rest of upper parts slate gray, most of the wing-coverts 
as well as the tertiaries and some of the secondaries, narrowly edged with white; under 
parts pure white shaded with gray along the sides and across the breast; tail square or 
slightly rounded, clear black, each feather conspicuously tipped with white; bill and feet 
black; iris brown. 
Immature: Similar to adult, but red of crown entirely absent, and most of the light 
edgings above tinged with rusty. 
Length 8 to 9 inches; wing 4.45 to 4.75; tail 3.40 to 3.75; culmen about .60. 
178. Crested Flycatcher. Myiarchus crinitus (Linn.). (452) 
Synonyms: Great Crested Flycatcher, Snake-skin Bird.—Turdus crinitus, Linn., 1758. 
—Muscicapa crinita, Linn., 1766.—Muscicapa ludoviciana, Gmel. 
Figure 94. 
The ashy gray throat and breast and sulphur yellow belly mark this bird 
among the other flycatchers, and the cinnamon edgings of the wing and tail 
feathers serve to clinch the identity. The “‘crest’’ is no larger than in most 
other members of the family. 
Distribution.—Eastern United States and southern Canada, west to 
Manitoba and the Plains, south through eastern Mexico to Costa Rica, 
Panama and Columbia. Breeds from Florida northward. 
A rather common bird in most parts of the state, but nowhere abundant, 
and less often seen toward the north, although occasional pairs are found 
along the south shore of Lake Superior, and Major 
Boies noted it occasionally on Neebish Island in 
the St. Mary’s River, about 46° 20° north. It 
arrives from the south rather late, rarely before 
May 1 in the southern counties, and a week or ten 
days later in the north. At Petersburg Trombley’s 
earliest record is April 27, 1888, but Swales noted 
one at Detroit, April 9, 1889. It moves southward / 
again in September, only stragglers being seen 
after the middle of the month. 
' Fig. 94. 
It shows a preference for the forest and is shyer Tail of Crested Flycatcher. 
than most of the flycatchers. Its favorite perch 
is the top of some high tree (not necessarily a dead one), and its loud parrot- 
like calls and whistles can be heard at long distances. Major Bendire 
says: ‘It utters a variety of sounds; the most common is a clear whistle 
like ‘e-whuit-huit,’ or ‘wit-whit, wit-whit,’ repeated five or six times in 
