THE VERMILION FLY-CATCHER. 



THICKETS along water courses 

 are favorite resorts of this 

 beautiful Fly-catcher, which 

 may be seen only on the 

 southern border of the United States, 

 south through Mexico to Guatemala, 

 where it is a common species. Mr. 

 W. E. D. Scott notes it as a common 

 species about Riverside, Tucson, and 

 Florence, Arizona. Its habits are 

 quite similar to those of other Fly- 

 catchers, though it has not been so 

 carefully observed as its many cousins 

 in other parts of the country. During 

 the nesting season, the male frequently 

 utters a twittering song while poised 

 in the air, in the manner of the 

 Sparrow Hawk, and during the song 

 it snaps its bill as if catching insects. 



The Vermilion's nest is usually 

 placed in horizontal forks of ratana 

 trees, and often in mesquites, not more 

 then six feet from the ground; they are 

 composed of small twigs and soft 

 materials felted together, with the 

 rims covered with lichens, and the 

 shallow cavity lined with a few 

 horse or cow hairs. Dr. Merrill states 

 that they bear considerable resemblance 

 to nests of the Wood Pewee in appear- 

 ance and the manner in which they 

 are saddled to the limb. Nests have 

 been found, however, which lacked 

 the exterior coating of lichens. 



Three eggs are laid of a rich 

 creamy-white with a ring of large 

 brown and lilac blotches at the larger 

 end. 



A WINTER NEST. 



Pallid, wan-faced clouds 

 Press close to the frozen pines, 

 And follow the jagged lines 

 Of fence, that the sleet enshrouds. 



Sharp in the face of the sky. 

 Gaunt, thin-ribbed leaves are blown ; 

 They rise with a shuddering moan, 

 Then sink in the snow and die. 



At the edge of the wood a vine 

 Still clings to the sleeping beech, 

 While its stiffened tendrils reach 

 A nest, and around it twine. 



A little gray nest all alone. 

 With its feathery lining of snow, 

 Where bleak winds, piping low. 

 Croon a sweet minor tone. 



— Nora A. Piper. 



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