FLYCATCHERS 
289 
Department of Agriculture in 1911, 22 contained a total of 61 bees — 51 
of which were drones, 8 workers, and 2 were indeterminate. The remain- 
der of the food consists of other insects, including many noxious forms, and 
a little wild fruit and berries. 
445. Grey Kingbird, le tritri gris. Tyranny. s dominicensis. L, 9. Like an 
Eastern Kingbird but lighter, ashy above rather than blackish, and underwing and tail- 
coverts faintly yellowish. 
Distinctions. Somewhat intermediate in colour between Eastern and Arkansas King- 
birds, but nearer the former. Bill very thick and swollen and tail only lightening at tip 
instead of with sharply defined white band. Slightly yellow underwings and tail. 
Field Marks. Too rare in Canada to be identified by sight. 
Distribution. Southeastern United States, West Indies to northern South America. 
In Canada, one record for southern Vancouver Island. 
An accidental straggler that may never occur again within our borders. 
446. Melancholy Kingbird, le tritri melancolique. Tyrannus melancholicus. 
L, about 8. Like the Arkansas Kingbird but with a more or less defined, darker cheek 
patch through eye and over ear, considerably larger bill, and slightly forked tail. 
Distinctions. As above, culmen definitely longer instead of shorter than tarsus, and 
tail forked for about 0-5 inch. 
Distribution. Southern Texas south to the Argentine. A single specimen in the 
Provincial Museum, Victoria, British Columbia, taken “some years ago” at Saanich, 
Vancouver Island, has recently been identified as this species. 
SUBSPECIES. Of several races of this species, Couch’s Kingbird (le Tritri de 
Couch) T. m. couchi, has long been known from the lower valley of the Rio Grande in 
Texas. Some species are notorious for wandering individually far from their natural 
habitat, but such has not been the reputation of this one and it was with considerable 
surprise that a Vancouver Island specimen was recognized. The occurrence is still more 
interesting, however, when it appears that it is not referable to the above race, but repre- 
sents a subspecies not hitherto known north of Mexico — Lichtenstein’s Kingbird (le Tritri 
de Lichenstein) T. m. chloronotus, whose normal range is western and southern Mexico 
south to the lower Amazon and Venezuela. 
447. Arkansas Kingbird, western kingbird, le tritri de l'ouest. Tyrannus 
verticalis. L, 9. Plate XLII 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 to be confused only with the 
Eastern 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. 
Nesti-ng. Nest a w r ell constructed affair like the Eastern 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 recent arrival in western Manitoba, and rare on 
Vancouver Island. 
A very beautiful bird, similar in general habits and action to the 
Eastern Kingbird, 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 abundant bird in the southern Prairie Provinces, but rather 
local, as it requires the presence of trees, and will probably increase with 
