60 
THE CONDOR 
Voi,. XI 
( Empidonax wrightii) usually held forth during my stay. Here too I could find 
Mexican Crested Flycatchers (. Myiarchus mexicanus) and Ash-throated Flycatchers 
(Myiarchus cinerascens)-, also examples of Myiarchus nuttingi inquietus. For a 
quiet Flycatcher I would choose the Fulvous ( Empidonax fulvifrons) . It found a 
citadel in the rushes that grow along the small irrigating canals. Now for contrast, 
I am naming a very noisy bird, Ty ran n us crassirostris, a Kingbird with enormous 
bill, and pugnacious disposition; enough to make life strenuous for all hawks and 
ravens within its habitat. T. crassirostris prefers watered barrancas, where both it 
and the Giraud Flycatcher ( Myiozetetes similis superciliosus) were nesting by the 
last of April. The Giraud Flycatcher is one of the few prominently marked mem- 
bers of this family, and has an individuality that cannot be forgotten. You need 
a side view, with crest erect, to judge it right. 
Enumerating some of the other Flycatchers I met with, there were the Cassin 
Kingbird ( Tyrannies vociferous') , found everywhere except in the pine region; 
Western Kingbird (7’. verticalis) , occasional; Sayornis nigricans, the only Phoebe 
met with; Myiochanes richardsoni , favoring willow-thickets; and the Querulous 
Flycatcher {.Myiarchus Idwrencci qaerulus) , of the pines. This zone is much fre- 
quented by the Brown Flycatcher ( Mitrephanes phceocercns) , altho it is equally 
abundant in Transition. Thruout its habitat, the more open spots are favored; often 
sharing the field or glen with Hammond Flycatcher ( Empidonax hanimondi) , and 
Western Flycatcher (E. difpcilis) . There was a week in February, when these 
three species associated in enormous numbers — greater than those of the other 
feathered creatures combined. Mitrephanes is sociable for a Flycatcher. I think 
they have cast aside that solitary disposition, notorious in the smaller tyrants. Al- 
ways appearing in pairs or more, they take advantage of a sunlit spot in the forest, 
when the plumage will strike the eye as dull crimson, rather than brown. The 
under mandible is very distinct on account of the wax-yellow color. 
A peculiar, small member of the present family, confining its operations to the 
larger trees in the most dense growth of higher barrancas, was identified by Mr. 
Nelson as Myiopagis placens but near M . jaliscensis of western Mexico. It bears 
a concealed yellow crown mark; and among the trees, appears decidedly like a Vireo. 
Very few of us contemplate a trip to Mexico, without forming a determination 
to see the Motmot ( Momotus mexicanus) . The resolve is usually consummated, 
as the bird is well distributed in the land. Many peculiar traits create for it an in- 
terest never dulled bv time or distance. Whatever you see when locating the Mot- 
mot for the initial time, will never fit itself into any bird family you are versed in. 
So naturally, identity is achieved thru elimination. 
Motmots are quiet birds, notwithstanding their vocal possessions; sounding 
notes to my ear suggestive of rattling shutters. It was seldom that I found any 
near the city; but tramp a mile or two out, away from man and habitations, find 
some miniature arroyo, with a dozen or so scrubby trees grouped about, and you 
generally find Momotus mexicanus. It is a pretty hard proposition to secure an 
allround inspection of one. Whatever ruse is attempted to gain a front view, it 
ends in failure. The back of the bird is always the portion of the subject within 
the range of your eye. Contented be: note the large head; apparent lack of neck; 
slim body and long tail; and, if you have a near view, the bill with saw-edges — an 
instrument fitted to perfection for holding the great bugs so numerous in tropical 
regions. Their food in part is Hies, moths, katydids, and stray grasshoppers, and 
never causes our subject much concern. Deliberate in preparation, his execution 
is as the lightning. Should one alight breast toward you after a catch, it is but 
the fraction of a second, ere the position be reversed. 
