. Birds through the years . d over eastern North America, wintering in CentralAmerica and farther south. They appear in late April orearly May. Great-crested Flycatcher. — In early May, while search-ing in the woods for trailing arbutus and wake-robin, yourear will be greeted by a loud ringing whistle, with a risinginflection that suggests a pointed inquiry as to the reasonfor your presence. On the tiptop of a tree you will see atrim-looking bird, slightly larger than its near relative theKingbird, but much like him in color, pose, and is the Great-crested Flycatcher, one of the la
. Birds through the years . d over eastern North America, wintering in CentralAmerica and farther south. They appear in late April orearly May. Great-crested Flycatcher. — In early May, while search-ing in the woods for trailing arbutus and wake-robin, yourear will be greeted by a loud ringing whistle, with a risinginflection that suggests a pointed inquiry as to the reasonfor your presence. On the tiptop of a tree you will see atrim-looking bird, slightly larger than its near relative theKingbird, but much like him in color, pose, and is the Great-crested Flycatcher, one of the largest of 88 BIRDS THROUGH THE YEAR the family, a wood-living bird, less common thian the otherFlycatchers we have learned about. He too keeps a sharplookout from an exposed position, snapping up such insectsas fall within range of his keen eyes. As much of a tyrantas his smaller cousin, he not only defends his nest againstan intruder, but darts with loud cry at any bird, large orsmall, that goes near his breeding KiNGBIKD ^„.^ ^ reat-CrestedGroup of I-lycatchers. The domineering habit of this bird is also seen in themanner of seeking a nesting place. Often a pair of themwill drive Hairy or Downy Woodpeckers from the cozyquarters which with great labor they have excavated in astub, and settle down to housekeeping with as much satis-faction and happiness as though the snug home were theresult of their own toil. These Flycatchers have the curious habit of placing acast-off snake skin in or near the nest, probably as a men-ace to all comers; for snakes are greatly feared by all of MAY MKiKANTS 89 the smaller birds. This highly interesting habit, also fol-lowed by other members of the family living in the tropics,has caused much speculation among ornithologists as to itsorigin and purpose. Mr. Burroughs states that he hasfound in the nest of this Flycatcher onion peels and evenscales of the shad, evidently the best substitutes for thesnake skin which the birds could no
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectbirds, bookyear1910
