Bird Families 
the wing, and their weak feet. Gregarious, especially at the 
nesting season. 
Chimney Swift. 
Family Trochilide : HUMMING-BIRDS 
Very small birds with green plumage (iridescent red or 
orange breast in males); long, needle-shaped bill for extracting 
insects and nectar from deep-cupped flowers, and exceedingly 
rapid, darting flight. Small feet. 
Ruby-throated Humming-bird. 
Order Passeres: PERCHING BIRDS 
Family Tyrannide : FLYCATCHERS 
Small and medium-sized dull, dark-olive, or gray birds, with 
big heads that are sometimes crested. Bills hooked at end, and 
with bristles at base. Harsh or plaintive voices. Wings longer 
than tail; both wings and tails usually drooped and vibrating 
when the birds are perching. Habits moody and silent when 
perching on a conspicuous limb, telegraph wire, dead tree, or 
fence rail and waiting for insects to fly within range. Sudden, 
nervous, spasmodic sallies in midair to seize insects on the wing. 
Usually they return to their identical perch or lookout. Pug- 
aacious and fearless. Excellent nest builders and devoted mates. 
Kingbird. 
Phoebe. 
Wood Pewee. 
Acadian Flycatcher. 
Great Crested Flycatcher. 
Least Flycatcher. 
Olive-sided Flycatcher. 
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. 
Say’s Flycatcher. 
Family Alaudide : LARKS 
The only true larks to be found in this country are the two | 
species given below. They are the kin of the European skylark, 
of which several unsuccessful attempts to introduce the bird have 
5 
