The SCISSOR BIRD of the Brazilians (_Milvulus tyrannus_), though properly
a native of Central America, is occasionally met with in the United
States. The length of this elegant species is about fourteen inches, of
which at least ten belong to the exterior tail-feathers, whilst those
in the centre do not measure more than two and a half inches. Its head
and cheeks are deep black, except at the lower part of the crest, which
is yellow; the back is ash-grey; the under side white; the quills,
wing-covers, and rump are blackish brown, edged with grey; the outer web
of the exterior tail-feathers is white along the whole of the upper half;
the eye dark brown; the beak and feet are black.
[Illustration: THE SCISSOR BIRD (_Milvulus tyrannus_).]
We learn from Audubon and Nuttall that the Scissor Birds are frequently
met with upon all the vast steppes of Central and Southern America, and
are common in some districts. They are usually seen assembled in large
parties upon low brushwood, and from thence fly down to seize their
insect prey. At the appearance of dusk they retire to pass the night
together upon a favourite tree. Whilst perched they seem to be of very
indolent and quiet disposition, but whilst in flight their appearance is
striking and remarkable, as they constantly open and close their long
tails, after the fashion of a pair of scissors, during the whole time
that they are upon the wing, a circumstance from which they derive their
name. Insects constitute their principal fare, and these they capture in
the same manner as other members of their family; they also pursue and
devour many small birds, and, according to Nuttall, frequently consume
berries. The nest, which is usually concealed in a thickly-foliaged bush,
is open above, and formed of delicate twigs, snugly lined with a bed
of fibres, wool, or feathers; the eggs are white, mottled with reddish
brown, these markings being thickest at the broad end. As autumn draws to
a close the Scissor Birds congregate with other species in large parties,
previous to setting forth upon their migrations. Schomburghk tells us
that such of these flocks as he observed leaving the country, settled
upon the trees from about three to five o'clock in the afternoon, and
remained there for the night, resuming their southern course at the first
dawn of day.