FLYCATCHER FAMILY. 29 



While, as stated above, our investigations have not proceeded far 

 enough to enable a final statement to be made regarding this wood- 

 pecker's economic status, enough is known to justify the belief that 

 the bird, by its destruction of insects the year round, is much more 

 beneficial than injurious, despite its occasional depredations on 

 apples and other fruit. 



The sapsuckers of the genus SpJiyrapicus have been accused of 

 doing much harm by boring into fruit and other trees for sap, and 

 while the charge is well founded the injury is largely counterbalanced 

 by the bird's destruction of insects. The sapsuckers are not numer- 

 ous enough, however, to be reckoned an important factor either way. 



FLYCATCHER FAMILY. 



(Tyrannidse.) 



Among our useful birds the flycatchers (Tyrannidaa) take high rank. 

 As is well known their principal food consists of insects captured in 

 mid-air. If the name flycatcher implied that these birds subsisted 

 largely upon flies (Diptera), it would be a misnomer, for nearly all the 

 species eat far more Hymenoptera than Diptera. In fact wasp- 

 catcher would be much more appropriate. The name, however, is 

 intended to suggest the idea that the birds are flying when they catch 

 their prey. The capture of food in this way implies that the species 

 are strong, rapid flyers, and capable of making quick turns in the air. 

 In addition to flying insects, the flycatchers eat spiders and other 

 wingless forms and some vegetable food which they pick up from the 

 ground or snatch from trees. The animal food of the 6 species 

 discussed in the following pages averages 90 percent of their diet. 



Several flycatchers in the eastern part of the country are quite 

 domestic in their habits and frequent orchards and gardens, and some 

 species nest about buildings. In California some of the correspond- 

 ing species have not yet become so accustomed to the presence of 

 man and his works, but they are learning rapidly. The black phoebe 

 is perhaps as familiar there as is the common phoebe in the East; but 

 the kingbird of California has not fully decided that the orchard is a 

 safe and altogether desirable place for nesting purposes. Sixteen spe- 

 cies and subspecies of flycatchers have been found within the limits 

 of this State. Six of them are numerous enough to be of economic 

 importance. 



ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER. 



( Myiarchus cinerascens . ) 



The ash-throated flycatcher is a summer resident of the lower and 

 warmer parts of the State. Its habit of nesting in cavities perhaps 

 causes it to seek the vicinity of farm buildings, where such accommo- 

 dations are numerous. It builds in hollow trees also, which may often 



