FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER. 
5 
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 occasionally on vegetable substances, as, on dissection, the 
stomach of our specimen was found to be filled with Pokeberries, 
{Phytolacca decandra, L .) 
Beyond these particulars we have no positive knowledge of the 
manners of our Flycatcher, though Vieillot has recorded a history 
of some length, taken from D’Azara; but the bird observed by the 
latter author in Paraguay and Buenos Ayres, though closely allied, 
appears to be specifically distinct from the one we are describing. 
Vieillot has since been convinced of this difference, and, in the 
(French) New Dictionary of Natural History, he has separated the 
more southern species under the name of Tyrannus violentus. In 
colour that bird strongly resembles our Jfluscicapa savana, but it 
is considerably smaller, and has different habits, being gregarious; 
whilst the savana, as we have already stated, is a solitary bird. 
Another species, for which ours may be readily mistaken, is the 
Tyrannus bellulus, Vieill., which, however, is much larger, with 
a still longer tail, differing also by having a large black collar 
extending to each corner of the eye, margining the white throat; 
and the head of the same bluish-gray colour with the other superior 
parts of the body; the remaining under parts being of the same 
colour, with a narrow brown line in the middle of each feather; 
and by having a whitish line on each side of the head behind the 
eye, extending to the occiput. The Tyrannus bellulus is a native 
of Brazil. 
VOL. I.-B 
