GRA Y KING BIRD. 
175 
vows of coverts are tipped with the same color, forming indistinct bars. Concealed coronal patch, orange and yellow with 
white at the base. There is a broad, dusky line commencing at the lores and extending over the ear coverts. Beneath, in¬ 
cluding under tail coverts, yellowish-white, with the sides, flanks, and indistinct bar across the breast, slaty. Under wing 
coverts, sulphury-yellow. Bill and feet, black. 
Young. Similar to the adult, but browner above, and with much less white on the wings which is often replaced by 
brownish. Sexes, similar in ail stages. 
OBSERVATIONS. 
There is some variation in the size and form of the bill but there is a great similarity of coloration. Readily known 
from the preceding species by the larger size, stouter and longer bill, absence of white on the tip of the tail, and general 
paler colors above. Distributed in summer throughout the Keys and along both coasts of Florida, north on the Atlantic 
side to Charlston, South Carolina; accidental in Massachusetts. Winters in the West Indies. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Average measurements of twenty-two specimens from Florida. Length, 9'52; stretch, 15‘32; wing, 4'43; tail, 3'82; bill, 
1-24; tarsus, -77. Longest specimen, 9'80; greatest extent of wing, 16 - 10; longest wing, 5’06; tail, 4‘25; bill, 1*45; tarsus, 
•80. Shortest specimen, 9 - 25; smallest extent of wing, 14 - 55; shortest wing, 3’80; tail, 3'40; bill, 104; tarsus, -74. 
DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 
Nests, placed in bushes, composed of grass and weeds, lined with fine grass and rootlets. Dimensions, external diam¬ 
eter, 4'75, internal, 2 75. External depth, 2’75, internal, 1‘75 
Eggs, Four in number, deep-salmon in color, spotted and blotched irregularly with umber and lilac. Dimensions from 
l-lOx-80 to-90 x-70. 
HABITS. 
The first time that I ever saw the Gray King Bird was on the seventh of April, 
1871. I was in company with my friend, Mr. H. W. Henshaw, and we were just return¬ 
ing from a trip into the Everglades. As we were pulling slowly along the sluggish stream 
which is the begining of the Miami River, we were saluted by a loud whoop and, turning 
in the direction of the sound, saw the tall form of the young Seminole chief, Tiger-tail, 
looming up over the tops of the grass which is not very high at this point. He had ob¬ 
served us and, wishing to cross the river, had hailed us. After setting him on the other 
side, we passed onwards but it was owing to the slight delay which this incident occasioned 
that we saw the Flycatcher now under consideration for, just as we neared the rapids 
which occur in the river as it emerges from the Everglades, a bird flew silently across 
and alighted on a tall cypress which stood near the margin. I at once recognized it as 
being the Gray King Bird and pointed it out to my companion, who landed and secured 
the specimen. 
This bird was evidently a straggler for I did not see any more at Miami; nor did I 
meet with the species again until the last week in April, when I found them very abun¬ 
dant among the Keys. There is a similarity in the flight of the Gray King Bird and 
that of the common King Bird but, the former may be at once recognized by their heavier 
movements, and they are much less agile. The northern species are noisy birds but in 
this respect they are excelled by the Gray King Birds which are constantly chattering. 
They not only utter their cries while flying, but will also give their shrill notes while sit¬ 
ting, raising their wings while so doing, very much after the manner of the Red-winged 
Blackbirds. 
