Phænopepla nitens.
8275
Hab. Mountainous region of the southern portions of Western and Middle Provinces of United States, and south to Orizaba; Cape St. Lucas; Plateau of Mexico (resident, Sumichrast).
Habits. So far as known, this bird occurs in the mountainous portions of the United States, from Fort Tejon, Cal., to Mexico, and from the Rio Grande to San Diego. It is closely allied, in its appearance, as also in many of its habits, both with the Waxwings and the Flycatchers.
Phænopepla nitens.
This species was first detected within the United States by Colonel McCall, who obtained it in California in 1852. Its habits, as he observed them, partook of those of the true Flycatcher. They are said to be remarkable for their slender, active form, in which their long and ample tail, and the elongated feathers of their head, capable of being erected into a crest, are conspicuous features. Colonel McCall first met with them in a clump of trees on the borders of a mountain brook, between Valliecita and El Chino. A number of them were together actively engaged in the pursuit of insects. They were light and graceful on the wing, though less swift and decided in their motions than the true Flycatchers. In these evolutions the bright white spot on the wing, visible only when the wing is spread, was quite conspicuous, and in fine contrast with the glossy black of the general plumage. In his journey Colonel McCall afterwards met this bird several times, either in small companies or singly. They were always either on mountain sides, or in the timbered borders of mountain streams.
Dr. Henry met with this species near the Little Lagoon, on the Colorado Desert. It was perched on a mezquite-tree, jerking its tail almost incessantly, as do other kinds of Flycatchers, and, from time to time, dashing in irregular curves high into the air in pursuit of insects. It became quite abundant as he approached the Colorado, occurring in companies of twenty and thirty. At Fort Yuma he also met with them in considerable numbers late in November, as they were
migrating southward. Dr. Henry describes its note as a low, plaintive whistle. He ascertained that it breeds in California by finding specimens of young birds. He likewise met with this species near Fort Webster, in New Mexico; and Dr. Kennerly also noticed it, in February and March, between Big Sandy Creek and the Colorado River.
Mr. Dresser obtained two specimens of this species at Eagle Pass. One of these had its stomach filled with the berries of a species of mistletoe that grows abundantly on the mezquite-trees. He noticed that it carries its crest erect and much recurved, after the manner of the European Parus cristatus.
Sumichrast states that this species, called Reyecito, is well distributed throughout the Plateau of Mexico, but only ranges in the valley of the Orizaba, to the height of about 1,500 metres, rarely coming as far as that. It is also common at Tehauntepec and other places.