The Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher on the Florida Keys
The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher on the Florida Keys.Supplementing previous evidence indicating that the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Muscivora forfiatta) is a more or less regular winter visitant to the Florida keys, the authors wish to report four individuals seen January 3, 1942, at the eastern end of Lower Matacumbe Key, abut 80 miles east of Key West. The birds were observed for about ten minutes at distances of 15 to 60 feet while they were perched on wires beside the Overseas Highway and while catching insects on the wing. Because of their short tails and pale colors they were adjudged females.
Previous winter records include five listed by A. H. Howell (Florida Bird Life, 1932 :319) for the period from 1885 to 1930, three by Alexander Sprunt, Jr. (personal letter), for the winters of 1937, 1938 and 1939, and one by Joseph E. Warren and Earl R. Greene who recorded two birds seen on December 26, 1941, near Key West (Audubon Mag., supplement, January-February, 1942 :34). Howell (Zoc. cit.) also cites five winter records for the mainland of Florida between 1885 and 1930. -GEORGE A. PETRIDES and MIRIAM P. PETRIDES, Washiwgton, D.C., June 13, 1942.
