245 
orders. Two suborders are represented in Canada: Clamatores , the Songless 
Perehers; and Osdnes , the Song Birds. 
SUBORDER— CLAMATORES. SONGLESS PERCHERS 
This suborder is constituted upon a basis of anatomical structure. 
The name Songless Percher is not intended to indicate that the birds are 
silent, but that they are less tuneful than the Osdnes , with a larynx less 
highly specialized. Only one family of this suborder occurs in Canada, 
the Tyrannidae or Tyrant Flycatcher. 
FAMILY — TYRANNIDAE. TYRANT FLYCATCHERS 
General Description. The Tyrant Flycatchers are most easily recognized among 
Canadian birds by their bills (Figure 247) which are comparatively long, somewhat 
flattened and broadened at the base, wider than high, and slightly hooked at the extreme 
tip. 
All Canadian Flycatchers except the spectacular Scissor-tailed, which is only a very rare 
visitor in this country, the strongly marked Kingbirds, and the Crested Flycatcher, are 
birds of dull olive coloration, only lightening or 
whitening on the breast, and without much 
colour variation. 
Field Marks. Easily recognized in life by 
their characteristic habits and attitudes which 
soon become familiar to the discerning 
observer. When perching they usually sit 
in an upright attitude, quite still except for 
an occasional spasmodic jerking of the tail. 
On observing a passing insect they dash out and capture it in the air with a nimble evolu- 
tion, and quick snap of the bill, and immediately return to their original station. 
The Flycatchers are a most difficult family to identify specifically. 
Some of them are strongly characterized, but some of the commonest 
ones are so nearly alike as to puzzle the experienced ornithologist. In identi- 
fying Flycatchers in life, attention should be paid to their voices. These 
and the type of habitat in which they are observed are good guides to 
differentiation in the case of the more puzzling species. 
Economic Status. Their food consists almost entirely of insects, 
caught on the wing, for capturing of which the broad bill is well adapted. 
As they take most of their food in the air near the ground they catch varieties 
of insects not taken by other birds. The species found in their stomachs 
include beetles, flies, wasps, crane-flies, ants, grasshoppers, tent-caterpillars, 
and moths. Indeed, nearly all the harmful species of insects are found in 
their crops and the group must be classed as highly beneficial birds. 
443. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. Musdvora forficata. L, 13 (about). (Tail, 9.) 
This Flycatcher is an occasional wanderer within the borders of Canada, from subtropical 
America. It is unmistakable — a light, ash-coloured bird about the size of a Kingbird 
with darker wings, scarlet or orange cap, and the same colour under the wings, with a great 
tail 8 to 9 inches long, split to a depth of 6 inches or more, which, when the bird is at rest, 
opens and closes like a pair of scissors. Strangely enough two of our best authenticated 
records come from York Factory on Hudson bay, and the species has been seen in southern 
Manitoba. With this record before us, it is difficult to state positively what bird may or 
may not be found anywhere in Canada. 
444. Kingbird, bee martin. Tyrannies tyrannies. L, 8*51. Plate XL A. A 
large, dark grey (almost black) and white Flycatcher. 
Distinctions. The black and white coloration, orange crown patch, showing in 
moments of excitement, and the black tail tipped with white, as if dipped in white paint, 
are unmistakable. Likely to be confused only with the Arkansas Kingbird, but blacker 
Figure 247 
Bill of Flycatcher. 
