FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER. 85 
plain figure is a more faithful representation than that 
given in his coloured engravings. 
From the very great rarity of the fork-tailed fly- 
catcher in this region, and the advanced season in which 
this individual was killed, it is evident that it must 
have strayed from its native country under the influence 
of extraordinary circumstances ; and we are unable to 
believe that its wanderings have ever extended as far 
as Canada, notwithstanding the statements of authors 
to the contrary. It may he proper to observe, that the 
difference indicated by Linne and Latham between the 
variety which they suppose to inhabit Canada, and that 
of Surinam, appears to have no existence in nature. 
Although this bird is so very rare and accidental 
here, we should be led to suppose it a more regular 
summer visitant of the Southern States, were it not 
impossible to believe that so showy a bird could have 
escaped the observation of travellers : hence we infer, 
that the fork-tailed flycatcher must be included in the 
catalogue of those species which are mere fortuitous 
visitors to the United States. As but a single specimen 
of this bird has been obtained, I cannot give any 
account of its manners and habits from personal obser- 
vation. 
The native country of the fork-tailed flycatcher is 
Guiana, where it is rather common, and is improperly 
called veuve (widow,) from the great length of its tail, 
in which character only it resembles the African birds 
of that name. 
The habits of the fork- tailed flycatcher resemble 
those of other species of the same genus. It is a solitary 
bird, remaining for a long time perched on the limb 
of a tree, whence it occasionally darts after passing 
insects ; or, flying downwards, it alights on the tufts 
of herbage which appear above the water, affording it a 
resting place in the midst of those partially inundated 
lands, called savannas, beyond the limits of which it is 
not frequently seen. While on the tuft, this bird moves 
its tail in a manner similar to that of the wagtails. 
Besides insects, the fork-tailed flycatcher feeds occa- 
