FLYCATCHERS. 53 



Kingbird. Tyrannus tyrannus. 



The kingbird is a common and generally distributed summer resi- 

 dent, arriving in spring about April 15 and remaining until late Sep- 

 tember (last seen at Helena September 27). It is recorded as breed- 

 ing at Clinton, Pea Ridge, and Big Lake, and I found it in the breeding 

 season at Stuttgart, Mammoth wSpring, Conway, Pettigrew, and Rich 

 Mountain (2,600 feet). Its food consists almost wholly of insects, in- 

 cluding many noxious species, supplemented by a small percentage of 

 wild berries and fruits. It has been accused of preying extensively 

 upon honeybees, but examination of 624 stomachs in the Biological 

 Survey showed only 22 containing these insects, 61 in all, including 

 51 drones, 8 workers, and 2 indeterminate. It is evident, therefore, 

 that the species as a whole is not greatly injurious to apiaries. 

 Crested Flycatcher. Myiarchus crinitus. 



This large flycatcher occurs as a common summer resident in all 



parts of the State. The earliest arrivals in spring are noted at Helena 



April 12 (average, April 17), and the fall migration is performed chiefly 



in September. The species has been reported as breeding at Clinton, 



Newport, Helena, and Delight. I found it in the breeding season at 



Mammoth Spring, Stuttgart, Wilmot, Pettigrew, Conway, and Rich 



Mountain. At the latter place it was common everywhere on the 



mountain from base to summit. The food of this bird consists of 



beetles, locusts, crickets, ants, flies, moths, and other insects, with 



some wild fruit. 



Phcebe. Sayornis phcebe. 



The phoebe or " bridge pewee" is one of the commonest of the 

 flycatchers in summer in the mountains and foothills, but is not 

 found at that season in the lowlands. It has been recorded from 

 Fayetteville, Pea Ridge, and Clinton. I found it at Pettigrew, Ches- 

 ter, Cotter, Mammoth Spring, and Rich Mountain, the latter point 

 marking its southern limit as a breeder. The bird is common all over 

 this mountain, and a nest with eggs was found May 27 at the summit. 

 It is the hardiest member of the family and in winter occurs nearly 

 throughout the State. The first migrants from the north were seen 

 at Delight on October 11, and by October 27 the species was common. 

 It has been recorded at Clinton and Helena in January. 



The phoebe is one of our most useful birds, its food consisting 

 mainly of insects, among them many noxious species, such as click 

 beetles, May beetles, and weevils, including the boll weevil. Its nest 

 is fixed on the side of a cliff, the rafters or abutments of a bridge, or 

 under the eaves of a house or farm building. 



[Say Phcebe. Sayornis sayus. 

 This is a western species, breeding east to western Texas and Kansas, and has 

 occurred also as a straggler in Missouri, Wisconsin, and other eastern States. The only- 

 record for Arkansas is the very indefinite one given by Audubon, who includes the 

 State in its range, without comment. 1 ] 



i Birds of Amer., I, p. 218, 1840. 



