edits RON BULLETIN A) 
Occurrence of Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in Illinois 
By Jean W. and Richard R. Graber 
On July 3, 1965, a rather small, pale-plumaged (female?) Sce'ssor-tailed Fly- 
catcher, Muscivora forficata, was photographed on roadside fences along a 
curve about one-half mile north of the west boundary of the Mason Co. State 
Tree Nursery which lies 8 miles east of Havana, Illinois. The bird appeared 
to be in good health, behaved normally, and was found in the same place at 
different times on three days (last date observed was July 5). 
This species has been reported in Illinois at least five times previously 
(Bartel, 1948; Mayfield, 1949; Nolan, 1954; and Bursewicz, 1958). All these 
records have been in spring and summer (earliest April 22; latest, July 26). 
The localities listed include LaGrange and Chicago, Cook Co.; Danville, Ver- 
milion Co.; and Murphysboro, Jackson Co. Surprisingly, most of the records 
are from the eastern edge of Illinois. 
Many sightings of the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher have been reported re- 
cently for northeastern U.S. (Eliot, 1948, Mass.; Nichols, 1959 and 1961, 
N. Y.; Bagg and Emery, 1960, Mass.; 1961, N. H., and 1963, Mass. and R. I.; 
Scott and Cutler, 1961, N. J. and 1962, Del.; Phillips, 1968, Ohio; and Carle- 
fmeivo4, N.Y.) and Canada (Taverner, 1941, Que.; Baillie, 1952, Ont.; and 
Woodford and Burton, 1961, Ont.). While the increase of records may re- 
flect to some extent an increase in observers, it is evident that the species is 
now being sighted yearly as far northeast as New York State. 
One wonders if the increased and widespread records from the northeast 
presage an extension of the breeding range of the species in this direction. 
As early as 1895, Bendire (see Bent, 1942) found that the species was in- 
creasing in numbers in Texas. It appears to have spread northeastward, being 
noticed first in northeastern Kansas in 1934 (Long). At present it nests there 
regularly (Nolan, 1957). Recently it has been found breeding in Missouri 
(Graber, 1962). 
