BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
191 
lish tint appear as if traced with a pen. The eg-g-s measure about .86 
long" by .65 wide. The nest of this bird is constructed of various mate- 
rials, such as feathers, hay, leaves, etc. Mr. Gentry some few years ag "0 
found a nest of this species, near Germantown, which was placed be- 
tween the bifurcated branch of an apple tree. “ It was composed almost 
entirely of feathers of our common Gallus, which were held tog-ether by 
long grasses.” The note of this bird is a harsh squeak or kind of whis- 
tle, exceedingly unpleasant to the ear, and which can be heard to a con- 
siderable distance. The food of this species is mainly of an insectivo- 
rous nature ; in the late summer and autumn different kinds of berries 
are oftentimes fed upon. Some writers state that the Crested Flycatch- 
ers like the Kingbirds, are equally fond of honey-bees. Mr. Gentry says: 
“ From the vast numbers of ground beetles, which have been noticed in 
the numerous stomachs which we have examined, it is obvious that the 
species leads almost wholly a terrestrial existence for a week or so after 
its arrival. As the season advances, and the higher types of insects 
swarm into existence, it becomes more exclusively arboreal and aerial, 
so to speak. We have watched these birds for hours, while perched upon 
a dead branch of a tree, in the active enjoyment of procuring a full meal. 
Their movements are perfectly ludicrous. There they sit, bobbing the 
head this way and then that way, now up and then down, ever on the 
alert for caitiffs, which form their appropriate diet. Hosts of lepidop- 
tera, both larvae and imagoes, are greedily devoured.” 
In the following table will be found the results of the few examina- 
tions which I have made of the Crested Flycatcher : 
No. 
Date. 
Locality. 
Food-Materials. 
1 
May 17, 1880, 
Chester county. Pa 
Large flies. 
2 
May 17, 1880, 
Chester county. Pa 
Beetles. 
3 
May 30. 1881 
Chester county. Pa 
Beetles and flies. 
4 
May 14, 1882, 
Chester county. Pa., 
Beetles and larvae. 
5 
•June 8, 1883 
New Castle Delaware 
Larvae. 
6 
June 8, 1883 
New Castle, Delaware 
Butterflies. 
7 
June 8, 1883 
New Castle, Delaware 
Beetles. 
8 
Sept. 12, 1883 
Chester county. Pa. 
Berries and beetles. 
9 
Aug. 7, 1884 
Chester county. Pa 
Seeds and pulp of berries. 
Genus SAYORNIS Bonaparte. 
Sayornis phoebe (Lath.). 
Phoebe ; Pewee. 
Description {Plat^ 91). 
“Sides of breast and upper parts dull olive-brown, fading slightly toward the tail ; 
top and sides of head dark-brown ; a few dull white feathers on the eyelids ; lower 
parts dull yellowish-white, mixed with brown on the chin, and in some individuals 
across the breast; quills brown, the outer primary, secondaries, and tertials edged 
with dull white ; in some individuals the greater coverts faintly edged with dull- 
white ; tail brown, outer edge of lateral leathers dull-white, outer edges of the rest 
