THE GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER. 
211 
country in March. Many remain there and breed, but the greater number 
advance towards the Middle'States, and disperse among the lofty woods, 
preferring at all times sequestered places. I have thought that they gave a 
preference to the high lands, and yet I have often observed them in the low 
sandy woods of New Jersey. Louisiana, and the countries along the Mis- 
sissippi, together with the State of Ohio, are the districts most visited by this 
spenies in one direction, and in another the Atlantic States as far as Massa- 
chusetts. In this last, however, it is very seldom met with unless in the 
vicinity of the mountains, where occasionally some are found breeding. 
Farther eastward it is entirely unknown. 
Tyrannical perhaps in a degree surpassing the King-bird itself, it yet 
seldom chases the larger birds of prey ; but, unlike the Bee Martin, prefers 
attacking those smaller ones which inadvertently approach its nest or its 
station. Among themselves these birds have frequent encounters, on which 
occasions they shew an unrelenting fierceness almost amounting to barbarity. 
The plucking of a conquered rival is sometimes witnessed. 
In its flight this bird moves swiftly and with power. It sweeps after its 
prey with a determined zeal, and repeatedly makes its mandibles clatter with 
uncommon force and rapidity. When the pre}’’ is secured, and it has retired 
to the spray on which it was before, it is* seen to beat the insect on it, and 
swallow it with greediness, after which its crest is boldly erected, and its 
loud harsh squeak immediately resounds, imitating the syllables paiip, paip, 
payup, payiup. No association takes place among different families, and 
yet the solicitude of the male towards his mate, and of the parent birds 
towards their young, is exemplary. The latter are fed and taught to provide 
for themselves, with a gentleness which might be copied by beings higher 
in the scale of nature, and in them might meet with as much gratitude as 
that expressed by the young Flycatchers towards their anxious parents. 
The family remain much together while in the United States, and go off in 
company early in September.- This species, like the Tyrant Flycatcher, 
migrates by day, and during its journeys is seen passing at a great height. 
The squeak or sharp note of the Great Crested Flycatcher is easily 
distinguished from that of any of the genus, as it transcends all others in 
shrillness, and is heard mostly in those dark woods where, recluse-like, it 
seems to delight. During the love-season, and as long as the male is paying 
his addresses to the female, or proving to her that he is happy in her society, 
it is heard for hours both at early dawn and sometimes after sunset ; but as 
soon as the young are out, the whole family are mute. 
It feeds principally upon insects, as long as these are abundant ; but fre- 
quently in autumn, and as it retrogrades from the Middle Districts, its food 
is grapes and several species of berries, among which those of the pokeweed 
