Purdie on the Yellow-bellied Fit/catcher. 167 



former), but numerous observers have noticed remarkable and 

 important peculiarities in the nesting habits, the present species 

 almost invariably building its nest in cavities, either of stumps, 

 trees, or rocks, or on beams inside of buildings, — a habit not yet 

 noticed in E. flaviventris, nor, indeed, in any other species of the 

 genus." That at least the nesting habits of the two are not always 

 different, I think the following will show. 



On a collecting trip made by Mr. Ruthven Deane and myself to 

 Houlton, Aroostook County, Me., during the second and third 

 weeks in June of this year, we were fortunate enough to secure the 

 much-desired nest and eggs of the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. For 

 its possession we are under obligations to Robert R. McLeod, Esq., 

 and to one of his collectors, Mr. James Bradbury, who discovered the 

 nest, both surrendering all claim to the prize, but desirous that a 

 description should be given for the benefit of all interested. 



Mr. Bradbury informed us that he had found, on June 15, a nest 

 unknown to him with one egg. On the 18th he conducted us to 

 the edge of a wooded swamp, and, pointing to the roots of an up- 

 turned tree, said the nest was there. We approached cautiously, 

 and soon saw the structure and then the sitting bird, which ap- 

 peared to be sunken in a ball of green moss. Our eager eyes were 

 within two feet of her, thus easily identifying the species, when she 

 darted off ; but, to make doubly sure, Mr. Deane shot her. There 

 was no mistake ; we at last had a genuine nest and eggs of the 

 Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. A large dwelling it was for so small 

 and trim a bird. Built in and on to the black mud clinging to the 

 roots, but two feet from the ground, the bulk of the nest was com- 

 posed of dry moss, while the outside was faced with beautiful fresh 

 green mosses, thickest around the rim or parapet. The home of 

 the Bridge Pewee (Sayornis fuscus) was at once suggested. But 

 no mud entered into the actual composition of the nest, though at 

 first we thought so, so much was clinging to it when removed.* 

 The lining was mainly of fine black rootlets, with a few pine-needles 

 and grass-stems. The nest gives the following measurements : 

 depth inside, one and one half inches ; depth outside, four and a 

 quarter inches ; circumference inside, seven and a quarter inches. 



The eggs, four in number, were perfectly fresh, rounded oval in 



* Dr. J. G. Cooper has said that the Western bird uses mud for the shell of 

 its nest. He has, however, written me that he was mistaken, and that earth is 

 not employed. 



