FLYCATCHERS 261 



5.80-6.25, wing 2.70-2.85, tail 2.35-2.60, bill .64-.73, bill from nostril .35- 

 .40, width at base .27-.31, tarsus .65-.72. Female : length 5.55-6.00, wing- 

 2.55-2.65, tail 2.20-2.. 'jU. 



Hemarks. — The wide bill, whitish under parts, and olive or olive brown 

 — not greenish — upper parts are characteristic. 



Distribution. — Western North America from the Mississippi valley to 

 the Pacific, and from tlie Mackenzie River valley south to Mexico. 



Nest. — 111 low shrubs or bushes near water, 1 to feet from the ground, 

 made of dry grasses, pine needles, shreds of bark, and plant fibers, lined 

 with fibers, bark, grass tops, fern down, and horsehair. Efjys : 2 to 4, 

 white or pinkish buff, marked with dots or blotches of brow'n, mostly 

 about the larger end. 



Food. — Largely caterpillars, moths, ants, grasshoppers, and other 

 harmful insects. 



The Traill tiycitclieris said by Major Beudire to be especially foud 

 of ' willow-covered islands, aud the shrubbery along watercourses, 

 beaver meadows, and the borders of the more open mountain 

 parks,' where it sometimes reaches an altitude of 8000 feet, espe- 

 cially in Colorado, Utah, and California. Its note, given in the 

 breeding season, is described by Professor Cooke as a shrill hurried 

 ' pree-pe-deer,' characteristic of the energetic, aggressive disposition 

 of the bird. In hunting, ]\Ir. Ridgway says, it never stays long in 

 one place, but moves from perch to perch, snapping up insects as it 

 flies. 



466a. E. t. alnorum Brewst. Aldek Flycatcher. 



Similar to Traill flycatcher, but averaging more olivaceous above and 

 more yellow below, the bill shorter and Urottder and tarsus shorter. Male : 

 wing 2.6»)-3.0(). tail 2.40-2.(10, bill .()U-.n4, bill from nostril .32-.37, width 

 at base .20-.30, tarsus .64-.(')7. Female : wing 2.50-2.65. tail 2.2.5-2.35. 



Distribution. — Breeds in Canadian zone in eastern North America from 

 New England west to western Nebraska ; migrates to (Viitral America. 



Nest and eyys. — Like those of tlie Traill flycatcher. 



467. Empidonax minimus Baird. Least Flycatcher. 



Width of bill at nostril decidedly greater than half the length of ex- 

 po.sed culnu'ii ; tail slightly eiiiarginate. Ailults : u]}\H'r pnvts dark ol ire ; 

 winy bars u'liitisli ; throat whitish ; chest waslied witli gr;iy ; belly faintly 

 tinged with pah; vellowish. VmuKi : like adults but more olive, and wing 

 bars brown. Male : length 4.'.t(»-5..50, wing 2.:50-2.(iO, tail 2.10-2.40, bill 

 .53-.5'.>, bill from nostril .27-.;'.!. width at base .23-27, tarsus .50-.()S. 

 Female: wing 2.20-2.40, tail 2.10-2.25. 



Distribtition. — Breeds in Transition and Boreal zones in eastern North 

 America from about latitude 6:1 south to the northern I'nited States; 

 and from the Atlantic west to eastern Colorado and Montana (casually 

 to Utali) ; migrates to Ceiitnil Americ;i and Panama. 



Ne.Ht. — (%)mpactly m;i<le of shreds of bark, plant fibei-s. dry gra.s.ses, 

 weeds, cocoons, and down, ])lact'<l usually in busht'S or trees in an upriglit 

 fork from S to L'5 feet fn»m the ground. Fyys : 3 to 6, white, unspotted. 



Food. — In.sect.s. 



The i-htbeck' of llic tritiuliv little ll\ ( atclicr. beard from ihuke- 



