FLYCATCHERS 
341 
The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher {443, Muscivora forficata ) is found in 
the summer as far north as southern Kansas and western Louisiana. It has 
occurred accidentally near Hudson Bay, in Manitoba, Ontario, New Bruns- 
wick, Connecticut, New Jersey, Virginia, and Florida. It may be known by 
its long, deeply forked tail and scarlet sides. 
452* Myiarchus crinitus {Linn.). Crested Flycatcher. Ads . — 
Upperparts grayish brown, washed with olive-green; outer vane of primaries 
margined with pale rufous; inner vane of all but the middle tail-feathers pale 
rufous; throat and breast pearl- 
gray; belly sulphur-yellow. L., 
9*01; W., 4*14; T., 3*75; B. from 
N. *62. 
Range. — E. N. and n. S. Am. 
Breeds from upper edge of 
Transition zone in s. Man., cen. 
Ont., s. Que., and N. B., s. to s. 
Tex., and s. Fla.; winters from 
e. and s. Mex. to Colombia; 
casual in Wyo. and Cuba. 
Washington, very common 
S. R., Apl. 20-Sept. 29. Ossining, 
common S. R., May 7-Sept. 12. 
Cambridge, rare S. R., May 15- Fig. 95. Crested Flycatcher. (Natural size.) 
Sept. 11. N. Ohio, common S. 
R., Apl. 25-Sept. 15. Glen Ellyn, not common S. R., May 1-Sept. 18. SE. 
Minn., common S. R., Apl. 25. 
Nest , of grasses, twigs, and rootlets, with generally a piece of a cast snake 
skin, in a hole in a tree, generally less than 20 feet up. Eggs , 3-6, creamy 
white, streaked longitudinally with chocolate, *90 x *68. Date, San Mateo, 
Fla., May 10; Weaverville, N. C., May 20; Madison, Conn., June 2. 
During the spring migration each day brings its own surprise and 
pleasure. The bare, silent woods where I walked alone before are 
now astir with flitting wings and ringing with glad music. Each morn- 
ing I hurry out, full of eager anticipation, to be thrilled by the greeting 
of some old friend come home again. 
There are red-letter days, however, even in this calendar. Hark! from 
the woods a loud whistle pierces far through the clearing. The Great- 
crest has come! 
I break away from the confusing chorus of small voices and hurry off 
to the woods for the first sight of the distinguished bird. Full of life 
and vigor, he flies about in the green tree tops, chattering to himself 
or calling loudly as he goes. 
Not many days pass, however, before he is so taken up with domes- 
tic matters that his voice is rarely heard outside the woods. Is he 
engaged in his famous pursuit — hunting snake skins to line his nest? 
Absorbed in my daily round of nest calls, I cherish the memory of 
each passing glimpse of him. Now I see him launch from a basswood 
top, with wings and tail spread, to sail down through the air, his tail 
glowing red against the light. Again, when looking for a rare Warbler, 
his calls arrest me. In the dead top of the highest tree in sight I find 
him with his mate. With crests raised, the handsome birds chase each 
other about the bare branches. Tired of that, they explore the old 
