394 P I P I R Y F L Y C A T C H E R .
the water, but with very singular care to place it on the western side of the
tree, or of the islet. I found it sometimes not more than two feet above
high water, and at other times twenty. It is composed externally of
light dry sticks, internally of a thin layer of slender grasses or fibrous
roots, and has some resemblance to that of the Carolina Pigeon in this
respect that, from beneath, I could easily see the eggs through it. These
were regularly four in all the nests that I saw, of a white colour, with
many dots towards the larger end. The young I have never seen, my
visit to those Keys having been in some measure abridged through lack
of provisions.
On one of the Keys to which I went, although of small size, I saw
several nests, and at least a dozen of these birds all peaceably enjoying
themselves. The sexes present no external difference. According to report,
they retire from these islands about the beginning of November,
after which few land birds of any kind are seen on them.
After I had arrived at Charlestown in South Carolina, on returning
from my expedition to the Floridas, a son of PAUL L E E , Esq. a friend of
the Rev. J O H N BACIIMAN, called upon us, asserting that he had observed a
pair of Flycatchers in the College Yard, differing from all others with
which he was acquainted. We listened, but paid little regard to the information,
and deferred our visit to the trees in the College Yard. A
week after, young L E E returned to the charge, urging us to go to the
place, and see both the birds and their nest. To please this amiable youth
Mr BACHMAN and I soon reached the spot; but before we arrived the
nest had been destroyed by some boys. The birds were not to be seen,
but a Common King Bird happening to fly over us, we jeered our young
observer, and returned home. Soon after the Flycatchers formed another
nest, in which they reared a brood, when young L E E gave intimation to
Mr BACHMAN, who, on visiting the place, recognised them as of the
species described in this article. Of this I was apprised by letter after
I had left Charleston, for the purpose of visiting the northern parts of
the Union. The circumstance enforced upon me the propriety of never
suffering an opportunity of acquiring knowledge to pass, and of never
imagining for a moment that another may not know something that has
escaped your attention.
Since that time, three years have elapsed. The birds have regularly
returned every spring to the College-yard, and have there reared, in
peace, two broods each season, having been admired and respected by the
P I P I R Y F L Y C A T C H E R . 39.)
collegians, after they were apprised that the species had not previously
been found in the State. It thus furnishes another of the now numerous
instances of new species entering the Union from the south, to increase
our Fauna, and enliven our hours.
The branch on which I have represented a Male in full plumage, is
that of a species rather rare on the Florida Keys, although, as I was assured,
it abounds in Cuba. It blooms during the season when this bird
builds its nest. The flower is destitute of scent; the fruit is a long narrow
legume, containing numerous seeds, placed at equal distances.
LE TYRAN » E S. DOMINIQUE, TYRANNUS DOMINICENSIS, Sriss. vol. ii.p. 394. pi. 38.
fig. 2 .
liANius TYRANNUS, var. (Z, Lath. Ind. Ornith. vol. i. p. 81.
TYRANNUS GRISEUS, Vieill. Ois. d'Amer. pi. 46.
Adult Male. Plate CLXX.
Bill rather long, stout, straight, broad at the base, a little compressed
towards the end ; both mandibles with the dorsal fine a little convex, the
sides rounded, the edges nearly straight, sharp, inclinate; a slight notch
close to the small deflected tip. Nostrils basal, lateral, roundish, partly
covered by the bristly feathers. Head rather large, neck short, body
rather slender. Feet short; tarsus compressed, covered anteriorly with a
few very broad scutella; toes of moderate size, the hind one not proportionally
stronger, the inner a little shorter than the outer; claws rather
long, arched, much compressed, very acute.
Plumage soft and blended, with little gloss. Strong bristles at the
base of the upper mandible. Wings rather long, third quill longest, but
the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth differ very little in length; the
first is the next in length, and is much longer than the seventh; all these
quills, excepting the last, are slightly cut out on the outer web, and are
suddenly diminished on the inner, near the end, so as to have a very narrow
rounded extremity. Tail rather long, emarginate, of twelve rounded
feathers.
Bill and feet brownish-black. Iris dark hazel. Upper parts in general
dull ash-grey, shaded with brown posteriorly, a concealed spot of flame
colour on the top of the head, which is perceptible only when the feathers
are raised. Coverts, quills, and tail-feathers dusky brown, all more or
less margined with brownish-white. The lower parts arc greyish-white,