217 



SAY'S FLYCATCHER. 



~ Muscicapa Saya, Bonap. 



PLATE LIX.— Male and Female. 



This species was first discovered by Titian Peale, Esq. of Philadelphia, 

 and named after Mr. Thomas Sat by Bonaparte, who described and 

 figured it in his continuation of Wilson's American Ornithology. It ap- 

 pears to range over a very extensive portion of country, lying between 

 Mexico and the settlements of the British Fur Companies, a pair having 

 been procured at Carlton House, as mentioned by Dr. Richardson. Little 

 is yet known of the habits of this species, but it would seem, from Mr. 

 Nuttall's remarks, to be a rupestrine Flycatcher, and not strictly arboreal, 

 as supposed by Mr. Swainson. 



"We first observed this bird," says Mr. Ntjttall, "in our route west- 

 ward, about the 14th of June, within the first range of the Rocky Mountains 

 called the Black Hills, and in the vicinity of that northern branch of the 

 Platte known by the name of Larimie's Fork. At the time, we saw a pair 

 perched as usual on masses of rocks, from which, like the Pewee, though 

 occasionally alighted, they flew after passing insects, without uttering any 

 note that we heard; and from their predilection, it is probable they inhabit 

 among broken hills and barren rocks, where we have scarcely a doubt, from 

 their behaviour, they had at this time a brood in a nest among these granite 

 cliffs. They appeared very timorous on our approach, and seemed very 

 limited in their range. Except among the Blue Mountains of the Columbia, 

 we scarcely ever saw them again. Their manners appear to be very much 

 like those of the Common Pewee; but they are much more silent and shy." 



Say's Flycatcher, Muscicapa Saya, Bonap. Amer. Orn., vol. i. p. 20. 

 Muscicapa Saya, Bonap. Syn., p. 67. 



Tyrannula Saya, Swains, and Rich. F. Bor. Amer., vol. ii. p. 142. 

 Say's Flycatcher, Muscicapa Saya, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 277. 

 Say's Flycatcher, Muscicapa Saya, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. iv. p. 428. 



Third quill longest, second and fourth scarcely shorter, first a little longer 

 than sixth; tail very slightly emarginate; upper parts greyish-brown; upper 

 tail-coverts and tail brownish-black; wings of a darker tint than the back, 

 the feathers margined with brownish-white; a dusky spot before the eye; 



Vol. I. 33 



