247 
Distribution. Southeastern United States, West Indies fa northern South America. 
In Canada, one record for southern Vancouver island. 
An accidental straggler that may never occur again within our borders. 
447. Arkansas Kingbird. Tyrannus verticalis. L, 9. Plate XL B. A large, 
pale-coloured Kingbird, sulphur-yellow below. 
Distinctions. With its light grey head, breast, and back, and bright yellow under- 
parts, likely to be confused only with the Crested Flycatcher. Larger than that species; 
head and back greyish instead of olive, tail almost black instead of with bright rufous 
inner webs, and a concealed orange crown-spot. 
Field Marks. In life, by habitat and action, likely fa be confused only with the 
Kingbird; but the pale head and underparts, nearly white chin changing to grey on throat, 
yellow abdomen, and tail not tipped with white, but narrowly margined with it at the sides, 
make separation easy. In colour, superficially like the Crested Flycatcher, but inhabiting 
the open, instead of the forest tree tops, and with regular Kingbird action. Voice entirely 
different, chattering like a Kingbird and not “whooping” and “ whipping ” like the Crested. 
Nesting. Nest a well constructed affair like the Kingbird’s but more likely to contain 
bits of string, newspapers, or strips of rags. Nests close about the house and even in eaves- 
troughs, down spouts, and similar situations. Is probably a good tenant for bird boxes of 
proper type. 
Distribution. Western North America. In Canada, north over the southern parts 
of all western provinces. Apparently a late migrant in western Manitoba, and rare on 
Vancouver island. 
A very beautiful bird, similar in general habits and action to the King- 
bird, but rather less aggressive, less likely to go out of its way to seek trouble, 
and rather more confiding in the human neighbourhood. It is not an abund- 
ant bird in the southern Prairie Provinces, but rather local, as it requires 
the presence of trees, and will probably increase with the growth of tree 
plantations. It is notable that nearly every station along the Canadian 
Pacific railway, where trees have been successfully planted, has a pair of 
Arkansas Kingbirds in possession, and it seems almost to prefer the hubbub 
of such localities to quieter retreats. 
452. Crested Flycatcher, great crested flycatcher. Myiarchus crinitus. L, 
9 00. About the size of the Kingbird, but lighter in build. Even olive-brown above- 
turning to rufous on the inner webs of the tail. Throat and upper breast ash-grey. Under- 
parts sulphur-yellow. 
Distinctions. Likely to be confused only with the Arkansas Kingbird; like it in general 
coloration, but back to crown uniformly brown, and no orange crown-spot. Tail, browner 
than back and with inner webs strongly rufous. 
Field Marks. A large, yellow-bellied Flycatcher, inhabiting the upper branches in 
the woods. Unlike either of the Kingbirds in habitat, action, or voice. Its loud, long- 
drawn cry “Wheeeep” and lower “Whip-whip-whip” are very characteristic, although some- 
thing similar to some of the notes of the Olive-sided Flycatcher, which is a very different 
appearing and acting bird. The Crested rarely poses for long on isolated branch tips or 
dead tree tops, and is more often seen passing from branch to branch amidst the foliage, 
or from tree to tree. 
Nesting. In holes abandoned by Woodpeckers or in hollow trees and branches. It 
takes kindly to bird boxes in the garden. The bird shows a remarkable fondness for utiliz- 
ing cast snake skins in nest building. Scarcely a nest of the species but contains one or 
more. 
Distribution. Eastern North America. In Canada, including the wooded and bluffy 
parts of southern Manitoba. 
A Flycatcher of the woodland tree tops. Its loud insistent voice is 
constantly heard in the summer, but rarely at any distance from dense 
forest. 
Economic Status. Beetles, locusts, ants, crickets, flies, and moths 
constitute the bulk of its food. It takes more parasitic wasps and beetles 
than most birds, but not enough to counterbalance the pests it destroys. 
