FLYCATCHERS 



(452) Myiarchus crinitus 



{Linn.) (Gr., a &y, a ruler; Lat., haired 

 or crested). 



CRESTED FLYCATCHER. 



Sexes alike in plumage. Upper parts 

 olive-gray; throat and breast dark 

 ashy-gray, rest of under parts pale 

 yellow; inner webs o£ the tail feathers 

 chiefly reddish-brown. L., 8.50; W., 

 :^.oo; T., 3.7s; B., .80. Nest — An 

 old woodpecker hole or cavity, Hned 

 with grass or weeds and generally 

 containing a cast-off snake skin. 



Range — Eastern North America, 

 breeding from N. B. and Man. 

 south to the Gulf. Winters in Mexico. 

 With us from Apr. 12th to Sept. 20th. 

 (453) M. niagister nelsoni 

 MEXICAN CRESTED FLY- 

 CATCHER. Paler colored all over. 

 Found in southern Tex. 



CRESTED FLYCATCHERS may be found in suitable 

 localities throughout eastern United States. While not 

 uncommon in northern states, they are really abundant in 

 the south. Were they not so noisy, their presence would 

 often be unknown, for they are quite shy and retiring in 

 their habits. Even upon hearing their whistles it is quite 

 difEcult to get a glimpse of them, for somehow they manage 

 to keep a leafy screen interposed between them and you. 

 They have several notes, all being loud, clear whistles, the 

 most common of which is a two-syllabled liquid "wit- 

 huit, " sometimes repeated several times in succession; an 

 alarm note is a single, very sharp and penetrating whistle. 



Each bird has his favorite lookout perches, whence he 

 dashes forth after flies, beetles, or moths; his first rush is 

 generally successful, but should he miss, he wUl give a won- 

 derful exhibition of aerial acrobatics, doubling and twisting 

 in midair until the loud snapping of his mandibles indicates 

 victory. The snapping of the mandibles is a habit indulged 

 in by most of the flycatchers. 



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