4 
FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER. 
from being accurate. This author having been unable to procure 
a North American specimen, chose nevertheless to introduce the 
species in his Natural History of North American Birds, on the 
authority of former authors, giving a figure from a South American 
specimen. The error in representing the exterior tail feathers 
curved, doubtless arose from the manner in which the dried skin 
was packed for transportation. That our drawing of this graceful 
bird is far superior to those above mentioned, will at once be evident 
on comparison; this superiority is owing to the circumstance of 
this drawing, like all the others given in the present work, being 
made from the recent specimen. Buffon’s plain figure is a more 
faithful representation than that given in his coloured engravings. 
From the very great rarity of the Fork-tailed Flycatcher 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 observation. 
The native country of the Fork-tailed Flycatcher is Guiana, 
where it is rather common, and is improperly called f eave (Widow), 
from the great length of its tail, in which character only it resembles 
the African birds of that name. 
