THE SPOTTED FLY-CATCHER. 
259 
It is a most restless bird, ever on the move, flitting from branch to branch, or darting 
after its winged prey with ceaseless activity. Like many predaceous creatures, it is rather 
solitary in its habits, being generally seen singly or in pairs, or at all events in no greater 
numbers than may be accounted for by the presence of the two parents and their young. 
There are several species closely allied to each other, which are found both in India and 
Africa ; and even the present species was once supposed to be separated into three, the adult 
male, the female, and the young being so different in form and color, that each was set down 
as a distinct species. It is now known that the long-tailed birds, of whatever color they may 
be, are the adults of either sex, while the comparatively short-tailed bird is the young male 
or female. When these distinctions are once known, it is very easy to discriminate between 
the birds, the white long-tailed bird being always the adult male, the reddish buff long-tailed 
bird the adult female, and the short-tailed bird the young male or female, as the case 
may be. 
The coloring of this species is remarkably bold and pleasing, and may be briefly described 
as follows. 
The head and crest of the male are bright steely-green, and the whole of the upper surface 
is pure white, curiously streaked with a narrow black line down the centre of each feather. 
The primary quill-feathers of the wings are jetty black with a narrow edge of white, and the 
secondaries are also black, edged with white on both webs. The beautiful tail is more than 
double the length of the body, as it measures thirteen or fourteen inches in length, while the 
bird itself is only some six inches long. The color of the tail-feathers is pure white, with 
black shafts, except the two central feathers, where the black color of the shaft only extends 
half their length. The whole of the under surface is white. The adult female has the head 
and neck-feathers steely-green, as in the male, but not of quite so brilliant a hue. The back 
and tail are ruddy chestnut, the throat, breast, and nape of the neck are dark gray, and the 
abdomen and remainder of the under parts are white. The young bird is colored like the 
female, but the white of the abdomen is tinged with buff. 
On account of the peculiar shape of this species, it is sometimes called the Rocket Bird. 
The Phcebe, or Pewee (Sayornis fuscus) is a notable favorite during the cold months in 
New England, arriving from the south in March, frequently before the snow is gone. Wilson 
says : “ The notes of the Pewee, like those of the bluebird, are pleasing, not from any melody 
they contain, but from the ideas of spring and returning verdure — with all the sweets of this 
lovely season — which are associated with his simple but lively ditty.” 
Wood Pewee (Contopus mrens). This is a common summer inhabitant of New Eng- 
land, usually choosing the solitude of the deep forests for its abode. The nest of this bird is 
always a wondrous affair, and very beautiful. There is a peculiar symmetry and cup-like 
finish to this nest, which is only equalled by that of the humming-bird. 
Several interesting species have been found in the Northern States and on the Great 
Plains. Since the days of Audubon and Wilson many species have been discovered. 
The Fork-tailed Fly-catcheb ( Milmdus tyr annus) is occasionally found in the States 
as far north as Pennsylvania. 
The Scissoe-tail (Milmdus forficatus) is another equally fine bird, having nearly as long 
tail-feathers. It inhabits Mexico and Texas. It derives one of its trivial names from the fact 
that it opens and shuts its tail as a scissors works. Its dimensions are similar to the preced- 
ing — thirteen inches in length. 
Europe possesses some examples of the Fly-catchers, the two birds represented in the 
illustration being familiar to every one who has noticed the manners and customs of native 
birds. 
The Spotted Fly-catcheb is by far the more common of the two species, and has 
