X. FAMILY COLOPLERIDIE, (THE FLY-CATCHERS), Genus Tyrannus. Kingbird fly-catcher. Summer resi dent, common; insectivorous. Beetles, grasshoppers, crickets. and winged insects of all descriptions form his principal summer food; in autumn berms constitute a favorite repast. Reader, see him perched on an old mullen stalk, watching all around, and capturing every insect that comes in his sight, .nd say whether he does not pay for the few bees he may destroy.
Genus chus. Great-crested fly catther. Summer re deo r, frequent; insectivorous; dwells mostly in forests and feeds on such insects as are found there .
Genus Sayornis. Pewee fly-catcher. Summer resident, common; insectivorous. This familiar and industrious destroyer of insects needs no introduction, and Is capable of telling its oe n story.
Genus Co otopus. Olive-si' ed fly-catcher. Summer resident, not frequent; insectivorous; feeds on others of the genus.—Wood pewee fly-catcher. Summer resident, common ; insectivorous. These two species are very'
eimilar end among the most active and industrious fly catchers.
Genus Empidonax. Tfail's fly-catcher. Summer rat dent, frequent ; insectivorous.—Least fly-catcher. Summer resident, frequent; insectivorous.—Small green-crested fly-catcher. • Summer resident. common; insectivorous. Yellow-bellied fly-catcher. Summer resident, frequent; insectivorous. All the species of this genus, indeed all the family, possess Similar habits. We can hardly walk out on a summer day without seeing some of them perched on a fence stake or dead bough intently watching for their prey, and woe betide the insect, whether beetle, moth, or fly, which may dare to show itself either on the ground or wing. The feat accomplished, they return to the same perch to await the appearance of other prey. Surely no observer can be so obtuse as not to appreciate the service thus rendered.