BLUE-GRAY SYLVAN FLYCATCHER. 297 



This rare species, of a doubtful genus, was first dis- 

 covered by Mr. Audubon, by whom it was communicated 

 to Wilson as well as the drawing which accompanies his 

 description. He afterwards met with this bird himself in 

 Pennsylvania, towards the close of April in an orchard, 

 where with remarkable activity it was running and dart- 

 ing about among the opening buds and blossoms in quest 

 of winged insects. Its notes and other habits are at 

 present unknown. It is not uncommon ; being seen in 

 New Jersey, particularly in swamps, and may breed 

 there, as it is found in the month of June. In the south- 

 ern parts of the Union, in summer, it is probably more 

 frequent than in the Middle States. My friend, Mr. C. 

 Pickering, also obtained a specimen several years ago 

 near Salem, (Massachusetts.) 



Length 5 inches ; alar extent 8^. Below dirty white, stained with 

 dull yellow towards the upper part of the breast. Bill dusky yellow, 

 broad at the base, notched near the tip, with porrected bristles at the 

 base. Legs dark brown ; feet yellowish. Iris hazel. 



BLUE-GRAY SYLVAN FLYCATCHER. 



(Muscicapa coerulea, Wilson, ii. p. 164. pi. 18. fig. 5. Sylvia ccsruha, 

 Lath. Audubon, pi. 84. Philad. Museum, No. 6829.) 



Sp. Charact. — Bluish-grey; beneath pale bluish- white ; tail longer 

 than the body, rounded, black ; outer tail-feathers nearly white, 

 the two succeeding tipt with white. — Female bluish white below, 

 without the black line over the eye and front. 



But for the length of the tail, this would rank among 

 the most diminutive of birds. It is a very dexterous, 

 lively insect hunter, and keeps commonly in the tops of 

 tall trees ; its motions are rapid and incessant, appearing 

 always in quest of its prey, darting from bough to bough 



