WESTERN FLYCATCHER 247 



longs to a group of Empidonaces having a different wing formula ; it 

 also has a longer tail than flaviventris and differs from it in some of 

 its habits. 



The western flycatcher is widely distributed in western North 

 America, chiefly from the Rocky Mountains westward, from Alaska 

 to southern California and Texas, with other races in Lower 

 California and Mexico. 



Unlike the j^ellow-bellied flycatcher, which it superficially resem- 

 bles, it is not especially partial to the coniferous forests in the breed- 

 ing season, but is much more generally distributed and nests in a 

 much greater variety of situations. S. F. Rathbun says in his notes 

 on this species : "This small flycatcher is a common summer resident 

 of western Washington. I have found it from the Cascade Moun- 

 tains to the Pacific Ocean, and its distribution appears to be general, 

 although it seems to occur much oftener in the lower country. It 

 is a bird to be looked for in woods mostly deciduous, where maples, 

 alders, and dogwoods grow, for it shows little fancy for the ever- 

 green growth ; and in the former it is usually found in the vicinity of 

 low ground. A good place to find this flycatcher is in some quiet 

 glen, especially if such has a trickling little stream, and here its note 

 will be frequently heard. But wherever it occurs, the place is apt 

 to be a quiet one, for it is a bird that seems fond of the stillness of 

 the woods. 



"Usually it arrives in this section near the close of April. It begins 

 to nest by the first of June and continues to do so throughout the 

 month, but on occasions its nest will be f oimd in July." 



Nesting. — Mr. Rathbun writes (MS.) on this subject: "This fly- 

 catcher does not seem at all particular in its choice of a nesting place, 

 but from our experience the locality selected is invariably within the 

 woods. I have found its nest at various heights, from 3 to 30 feet, 

 although the latter was exceptional, and in all kinds of spots. At 

 times the nest will be placed among the roots of an upturned tree, 

 again on the top of a low stump, or in the crotch of a very small 

 tree; and once I found its nest in the crown of a devil's-club 

 {Echinopanax horriduTri)^ a showy shrub bearing countless spines 

 and little prickles irritating to the skin, a most unusual place for a 

 bird's nest. And the localities favored are usually in a somewhat 

 retired part of the forest, near low ground. Oftener than not green 

 and dry mosses represent most of the nest, and invariably it is lined 

 with fine strips of shredded bark. On one occasion I found a nest 

 of this bird that was so beautiful I will describe it. It was placed 

 at a height of 15 feet in the main crotch of a little alder tree growing 

 near the edge of a bit of swampy ground not far within the border 



