TYEANNID^— THE TYRANT FLYCATCHERS. 351 



Contopus virens (Linn.) 



WOOD PEWEE. 



Muscicapa virens LiKN. S. N. ed. 12, i, 1766. 327.— Nutt. Man. J, 1832, 285.— AuD. Orn. 

 Biog. ii, 1834, 93; v. 1839,425, pi. 115; Synop. 1839, 42; B. Am. i, 1840, 231, rl. 64. 

 Tyrannus virens Nutt. Man. 2d ed. 1,1840, 316. 



Contojjws t)i?-ens Cab. 1855.— Baibd, B. N.Am. 1858,190; Cat N. Am. B. 18-59. No. 139,— 

 CouES, Key, 1872, 173; Cheek List. 1874, No. 255; 2d ed. 1882, No. 382; B. N. W. 1874, 

 245.— B. B. & E. Hist. N. Am. B. ii, 1874, 357, pi. 44, flg. 3.— RiDGW. Norn. N, Am. B. 

 1881, No. 320. 

 Muscicapa rapax Wils. Am. Orn. ii, 1811, 81, pi. 13, fig. 5. 



Hab. Eastern United States and British Provinces, west to edge of the Great Plains, 

 breeding throughout. In winter, eastern Mexico, and Central America, south to Guate- 

 mala. (Said by Audubon to winter in Louisiana and Florida, but this statement is un- 

 confirmed by later observers.) 



"Sp. Chak. The second quill longest ; the third a little shorter ; the first shorter than 

 the fourth. The latter nearly .40 longer than the fifth. The primaries more than an inch 

 longer than the secondaries. The upper parts, sides of the head, neck, and breast, dark 

 olivaceous brown, the latter rather paler, the head darker. A narrow white ring round 

 the eye. The lower parts pale yellowish, deepest on the abdomen; across the breast 

 tinged with ash. The pale ash sometimes occupies the whole of the breast, and even 

 occasionally extends to the chin. It is also sometimes glossed with olivaceous. The 

 wings and tail dark brown ; generally deeper than in S. fuscus. Two narrow bauds across 

 the wing, the outer edge of the first primary and the secondaries and tertials.duU white. 

 The edge of the tail-feathers like the back ; the outer one scarcely lighter. Upper man- 

 dible black; the lower ycllow.but brown at the tip. Length, 6. 15; wing,3..50; tail, 3. 05. 



"A large series shows considerable variations ; autumnal speci- 

 mens have a more appreciable tinge of yellow on the lower parts, 

 while summer individuals are more grayish." {Hist. N. Am. B.) 



Modest and retiring in its habits, plain in dress, and quiet in man- 

 ner, tliis little bird, although one of the most abundant si^ecies, is 

 by no means well known. If noticed at all, it is generally con- 

 founded with the common Pewee (Sayornis phcehe) ; but a little ob- 

 servation is sufficient to show how very distinct they are. The 

 Wood Pewee will sit almost motionless for many minutes, in an 

 erect position, on some dead twig or other prominent perch, pa- 

 tiently watching for its insect prey. While is position is appar- 

 ently so fixed, however, its eyes are constantly on the alert, and 

 close watching will show that the bird now and then turns its head 

 as its glance follows the course of some distant insect, while anon 

 the feathers of the crown are raised, so as to form a sort of blunt 

 pyramidal crest. This sentinel-hke attitude of the Contopus is in 

 marked contrast to the restless motion of Sayornis, who, even if 

 perched, keeps its tail constantly in motion, while the bird itself 

 seldom remains long in a fixed position. The notes of the two 



