FLYCATCHERS 



(443) Muscivora forficata 



(Gmcl.) (Lat.. insect, 1 devour; forked). 



SCISSOR-TAILED F L Y- 

 CATCHJiR. The handsomest and 

 most graceful of this large family. 

 Sexes alike. Ads. — Plumage as 

 shown — of soft gray, white and 

 blackish; crown-patch (more or less 

 concealed) orange-red; sides of body, 

 under the wings, carmine; tail long 

 and deeply forked. L., 14.50; W., 

 4.75; T. ,8.00-12.00, forked about 

 6.00. Nest — I^arge, of twigs, weeds, 

 grasses, etc., at any height in trees or 

 bushes; four or five creamy- white 

 eggs, specked with reddish-brown. 



Range — Breeds from Kansas south 

 to southern Tex. 



(442) FORK-TAILED FLY- 

 CATCHER (M. tyrannus), a Mexi- 

 can species has been taken in Me., 

 N. J., Ky., and Miss. 



Order PASSERES. Perching Birds 

 Family TYRANNID^E. Tyrant Flycatchers 



A large family of songless, or non-melodious, perching 

 birds, having ten fully developed primaries. Their feet 

 are small and weak compared to their size, but their bills 

 are large, broad, flattened at the base and tapering to the 

 point. Long, strong rictal bristles, sometimes reaching to 

 the end of the bill, are always present. 



SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHERS are so beautiful 

 and graceful that they are frequently termed "Texan Birds 

 of Paradise," but those accustomed to seeing and speaking 

 of them usually know them simply as " Scissor-tails. " 



Their food consists almost wholly of insects, nearly all 

 of which they catch in the air. In spite of the long tail, 

 which is an impediment to agile flight, they are able to 

 double and turn very quickly when in pursuit of some par- 

 ticularly active dragonfly. Their notes are simple, sharp 



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