TYRAJNNID^ — THE FLYCATCHERS. 361 



A large series shows considerable variations ; autumnal specimens have a 

 more appreciable tinge of yellow ou the lower parts, while summer imlivid- 

 uals are more grayish. 



Habits. This species was first obtained by Eichardson in the Arctic 

 regions, and described by Swainson. It was found in the neighborhood of 

 the Cumberland House, where it frequented moist shady woods by the 

 banks of rivers and lakes. It was supposed likely to travel in summer as 

 far as the shores of the Great Slave Lake. 



Since its discovery by Richardson, this Flycatcher has been found to have 

 a widely extended geographical range, as far to the south as Guatemala, and 

 even Panama, and northward as far as the 60tli parallel of latitude, and from 

 the great plains to the Pacific. 



During the survey of the ]\Iexicau Boundary, specimens of this bird were 

 obtained by ]\Ir. J. H. Clark in El Paso, Texas, and in the month of May by 

 Lieutenant Couch in Monterey, Mexico. 



'Sir. Dresser found that this bird was very common near Matamoras dur- 

 ing tlie summer, and that they were breeding there. He also shot one speci- 

 men near San Antonio in May. Its stomach contained small insects. Dr. 

 Coues thinks this Flycatcher an exceedingly abundant summer resident in the 

 Territory of Arizona. It arrives there in spring about the first of May, the 

 latest of the Flycatchers, and is deemed by the Doctor a counterpart of the 

 eastern Contopus virens. It departs from that Territory aliout the third week 

 in September. It is found in all situations, but most especially in open forests. 



This species arrives in California, according to Dr. Cooper, at least a fort- 

 night earlier than the date of its earliest advent in xVrizona as given by Dr. 

 Coues, or about the 15th of April, and spends its summers in tlie most 

 mountainous parts of the State. It is said to perch mainly on the lower 

 dead limbs, watching for the passing insects, uttering occasionally a plaintive 

 pe-ah. It is usually very silent, and seems to prefer the dark, solitary 

 recesses of the forests. 



Dr. Hoy informs me that this Flycatcher is occasionally hjuud. in the 

 neighborhood of Eacine, but that it is rare. It keejis in the deep forest, 

 and never comes near dwellings in the manner of C. vircns. 



Tliis bird was found breeding at Fort Tejon by Mr. Xantus, at Napa 

 Valley by Mr. A. J. Grayson, and both in the Sacramento Valley and at 

 Parley's Park, among the Wahsatch Mountains, by Mr. Eidgway. 



A nest of this bird in the Smithsonian Museum (10,076) from California, 

 collected by "W. Vuille, had been apparently saddled ou the limb of a tree, 

 in the manner of C. virens, having a broad flattened base, and a general 

 resemblance to the nests of that .species. It differs, however, somewhat in 

 regard to materials, and most especially in having no lichens attached to the 

 exterior. It has a diameter of three inches and a height of one and a half. 

 The cavity is about one inch deep and two wide at the rim. The base and 

 sides of this nest are largely composed of the exuviiis of chrysalides, inter- 



voL. n. 46 



