GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER. 
271 
southward, Audubon remarks that they fly and sail 
through the air with great ease, at a considerable eleva- 
tion ; and they thus continue their silent retreat through- 
out the night, until about the first of October, when they 
are no longer to be seen within the limits of the Middle 
States. 
The King-bird (called also Field Martin in Maryland and the 
Southern States) is about 8 inches in length, and 14 in alar extent. 
The general color above is a dark ash color approaching to black. 
The head and tail are nearly black, the latter tipt with white ; the 
wings have something of a brownish umber cast. Upper part of the 
breast tinged with ash, the rest of the lower parts are pure white. 
The plumage of the crown, though even when the bird is at rest, can 
be, at will, erected, so as to form a rough crest ; below the black surface 
of which is seen a bed of scarlet inclining to orange, surrounded and 
based often with white ; this constitutes the crown of our feathered 
monarch. The bill is very broad at the base, and black. The legs and 
feet are also black. The iris hazel. The young birds receive the 
orange on the crown the first season. 
GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER. 
(Muscicapa crinita, L. Wilson, ii. p. 75. pi. 13. fig. 2. Philad. Mu- 
seum, No. 6645.) 
Sp. Charact. — Greenish-olive; throat pale ash; belly yellow; 
wing and tail feathers ferruginous on the inner webs. 
This species, nearly unknown in New England, arrives 
in Pennsylvania early in May, and builds his nest in the 
deserted holes of the Woodpecker or Blue-bird. He also 
frequents the orchard, and is equally fond of Bees with the 
King-bird. He has no other note than a harsh squeak, 
which sounds like ’paiip, [ paip or payup, \ payivip , with 
a strong accent on the first syllable. He preys actively on 
insects which he collects from his stand ; and, in short, 
