238 FLYCATCHER. 



the middle ones not two ; all of them black, but the outmost has 

 the exterior web white for half its length ; legs black. 



In some birds the yellow on the crown is wanting, and such are 

 probably females; in others the outer margins of the quills are 

 white, as well as the inner. 



Inhabits Canada, and from thence to Surinam, but no where 

 common. The Canadian one has black temples, and a cinereous 

 back; but in that from Surinam the body is black. This species 

 extends to Buenos Ayres, and Monte Video. The Guaranis there 

 call it Guira Yetapa (Scissars Bird) from its opening and closing the 

 tail feathers, like a pair of scissars. Comes into Paraguay the 

 middle of September, and departs in March ; found chiefly in moist 

 places, and streams near woods; is a bold bird, and will attack 

 others ; a nest, supposed to belong to this, was large, made of earth 

 without, and small roots within, lined with a cottony substance ; it 

 contained three young, and one white egg, spotted brown and rufous. 

 M. Nosada says, he has found the nests several times, that they are 

 small, made of leaves, and pieces of bark, and the eggs white. 



136.— SWALLOW-TAILED FLYCATCHER. 



Muscicapa forficata, Ind. Orn. ii. 4S5. Gm. Lin. i. 931. Vieill. Am. i. p. 71. 

 Moucherolle a Queue fourchue du Mexique, Buf.'iv. 564. Pl.enl. 677. 

 Great crested Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Bartr. p. 287. 

 Swallow-tailed Flycatcher, Gen. Syn. iii. 356. Shaw's Zool. x. 413. pi. 33. 



LENGTH ten inches. Bill straight, compressed, weak, black ; 

 irides red ; head and back light grey, with a reddish tinge ; under 

 parts of the body white ; sides and beneath the wing red, and when 

 closed, this colour appears just above the bend ; lesser wing coverts 

 ash-colour, with pale edges, giving the appearance of scales; greater 



