38cj THE OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER. 



old Clilf vS wallow's nest, placed in a shad}- niche at a Jieighl i>\ sinue twelve 

 feet, formed the supijort of the Pewee's accumulations. The clitt was perfectly 

 straight, but by dint of half an hour's work ])iling la\a blocks and securing 

 footholds, with the aid of a double-blailed paddle he succeeded in reaching the 

 nest. Requiring the use of both hands in descent, he placeil the four fresh eggs 

 in bis hat, and the hat in his teeth, reaching the ground safely and dejiositing 

 the hat carefullw Tired out b\- the exertion he flung himself down upon the 

 narrow strip of shore and rested. Then noting the rising wind, he sprang up, 

 seized the coat and hat and — Oh! Did something drop? ! ! Yes, gentle 

 reader, the eggs were in it, — but only one was smashed. Only one ! As 

 perfect Ibe arch without its keystone as a "set" of eggs with the guilt v con- 

 sciousness of one missing! 



No. 146. 



OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER. 



A. O. IT, No. 459. Nuttallornis borealis (Swains.) 



Description. — .Idiilt: L'pperparts brownish slate with a just perceptible 

 tinge of olivaceous on back ; top of head a deeper shade, and without olivaceous ; 

 wings and tail dusky-blackisli, the former with some brownish gray edging only 

 on tertials ; flank-tufts of fluffy, yellowish or white feathers, sometimes spreading 

 across rump and in marked contrast to it, but usually concealed by wings ; throat, 

 belly and crissum, and sometimes middle line of lireast, white or yellowish white ; 

 heavily shaded on sides and sometimes across breast with brownish gray or olive- 

 brown, — the feathers with darker shaft-streaks; bill black above, pale yellow be- 

 low; feet black. Immature: Similar to adult, but coloration a little lirighter ; 

 wing-coverts fulvous or buffy. Length 7.00-8.00 ( 177.8-203.J ) : wing 4.1G 

 ( 105.7 ) ; tail 2. '14 ( f\y.] ) ; bill from nostril .53 ( 13. 5 ) ; tarsus .59 ( 15 ). 



Recojjnition Marks. — Sparrow to Chewink size; heavy shade<l sides; bill 

 yellow below ; ti'7i'-tm' note ; keeps largely to summits of lir trees. 



Nesting. — Nest: a shallow cup of twigs, bark-strips, etc., lined with coarse 

 moss and rootlets; saddled upon horizontal limb of coniferous trees, often at great 

 heights. Eggs: 3 or 4, creamy-white or pale buff, spotted distinctly with chestnut 

 and rufous, and obscurely with pur])lish and lavender, chiefly in ring about larger 

 end. .'\v. size, .85 .n .63 (21.6 x 16). Season: June 1-15; one brood. 



General Range. — North America, breeding from the northern and the higher 

 mountainous parts of the ITnited States northward to Hudson Bay and Alaska. 

 Accidental in Greenland. In winter south to Central America, Colombia and 

 northern Peru. 



Range in Washington. — jsummer resident in coniferous timber from sea 

 level tn limit of trees. 



Migrations. — S'lriiig: c. Mav 15. 



Authorities. — Contopus borealis, Haird, Baird, Rep. Pac. R. R. Surv. IX. 

 i8s8, p. 189. Ibid C&S. 169. C&S. D'. Kb. Ra. B. E. 



Specimens.— U. of W. P'. Prov. B. E. 



