346 CRESTED FLYCATCHER. 



Flycatcher, the Kingbird, Phoebe, and Wood Pewee, who are all familiar birds and 

 very conspicuous near the abodes of man. In the North I never found this Flycatcher 

 near dwellings, but in the South it gradually loses its shyness, and though not yet 

 seeking man's society, it neither shuns it. I have already mentioned a pair breeding in 

 a nesting box near my cabin in Texas. Others had selected abandoned Woodpeckers' 

 holes in the vicinity. I found not less than five pairs nesting in the neighborhood of 

 my house in spring 1882. In south-western Missouri, where among the black jack oaks 

 few cavities were found, they soon made use of the nesting boxes provided for them. 

 Here the birds were at first exceedingly wild and suspicious. Courage, however, soon 

 gave place to timidity, and confidence to distrust. I am convinced from the fact's above 

 stated that these exceedingly useful birds would soon seek man's society if they were 

 protected, and especiallj' if convenient nesting boxes were provided. I never have 

 seen the Crested Flycatcher out of their native forests in orchards and ornamental trees, 

 and I doubt whether the bird ever will exchange the former for the latter. 



The Crested Flycatcher makes the impression of being a very melancholic bird. 

 In its notes as well as in its ways and habits this peculiarly sad trait is apparent. 

 Rarely the pair flies in a playful manner through the air. Never does it associate 

 with its kindred. Its mood seems to be distinctly gloomy and lonesome, as if con- 

 stantly living under a shadow of sorrow. During most of the time each individual 

 leads a very solitary life, having no interest or sympathy with others of the same 

 species. When paired, however, they are very attentive and considerate, and are very 

 devoted to their young. In his haunts, however limited they may be, the male pre- 

 dominates, and no other individual of his own species dares to encroach upon his 

 domain. Other birds are not molested, unless they are reputed robbers, and then they 

 are driven away mercilessly. 



Its flight is elegant and swift, being often somewhat prolonged when in pursuit 

 of insects. In this respect it is scarcely surpassed by any other member of the family. 

 When its prey haiDpens to be a large insect, it returns to its perch and beats it against 

 the limb. This I have frequently seen when large moths, butterflies, grasshoppers, and 

 locusts had been captured. While waiting for passing insects, its crown-feathers are kept 

 in an erect position and its notes are often repeated. The elegance of its attitude and 

 the swiftness of its motions, while darting for an insect, are really remarkable. 



The food of the Crested Flycatcher consists chiefly of insects of many kinds, -which 

 are caught in the air with great facility, skill, and assiduity. It is said that it also 

 consumes hemes of various kinds of shrubs and plants, among which those of the poke- 

 weed and the huckle-berry are especiallj'^ mentioned. Ip damp and cool weather, when 

 the insects are hidden among and beneath the leaves, it often makes the attempt to 

 force them to leave their hiding-places by touching the branches in their rapid flight. 



The nesting habits of this species are very interesting. Being a hole breeder, it 

 usually selects for the construction of its nest old abandoned Woodpeckers' cavities, 

 especially those of the Flicker, the Red-headed and Pileated Woodpecker. In the post 

 oak woods there is no want of such holes. As mentioned already, it also accepts con- 

 venient nesting boxes if fastened to forest trees. Near my house in Texas as well as in 

 Missouri I had an excellent opportunity to observe the nesting habits of this peculiar 



