ISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER 
(Muscivora forficata) 
(Fig. 10) 
The scissor-tailed flycatcher can no longer be 
nsidered of merely accidental occurrence in Illinois. 
ere are at least 21 reports for the species in the state, 
including 15 since 1965. In addition to these sightings, at 
least one more has recently been reported from a 
contiguous area near St. Louis, Missouri (Petersen 
1970a). 
The scissor-tailed flycatcher was first reported in 
Illinois near Peoria in 1885 by W. E. Loucks 
(unpublished notes). It was next seen in 1902 by Craigmile 
Fig. 10 — Scissor-tailed flycatcher, female. Side view (lower left) shows tail length; males have longer tails. 
