TYRANNIDJ5 — THE FLYCATCHERS. 335 



Habits. The common Great-crested Flycatcher of eastern North America 

 has a much more extended northern distribution than has been generally 

 given it by earlier writers. Wilson speaks of it only as a bird of Pennsyl- 

 vania. Audubon mentions their occurring as far as Massachusetts, but as 

 confined to the mountains, and as entirely unknown farther eastward. Mr. 

 Nuttall refers to it as nearly unknown in New England, and as never 

 appearing near the coast. 



It is now known to be a regular though a somewhat rare summer resident, 

 at least as far to the northeast as St. Stephen, New Brunswick, latitude 45° 

 north, longitude 67° west, and as far to tlie north in Vermont as Eandolph, 

 and Hamilton in Canada, both in about latitude 44°. Mr. Boardman men- 

 tions it as a regular summer visitant, and as breeding near Calais. Pro- 

 fessor Verrill gives it as a rare summer visitant of Western Maine. Mr. 

 Mcllwraith states it to- be a common summer resident of Hamilton, Canada 

 West, where it arrives about the 10th of May, after which its harsh cry 

 is heard in all parts of the woods. It winters in Central America and 

 Panama. 



In a letter dated Jime 17, 1865, Mr. C. S. Paine of Eandolph, Vt., in- 

 formed me that he had, within a few days, found a nest of this Flycatcher. 

 It was built in the hollow of a decayed apple-tree, in one of its limbs. The 

 nest was built up from the bottom of the cavdty some eight inches, and con- 

 tained six eggs. Tliough not very abundant in that neigliborhood, Mr. Paine 

 had been aware, for several years, of the occurrence of this Flycatcher, but 

 had never before been able to ascertain its manner of nesting. He has 

 since informed me that these Flycatchers have continued to occur every 

 summer, as they always make their presence known by their harsh notes, 

 which may be heard to quite a distance, and he knows that they breed there 

 regularly every year. They are shy, and do not come about the buildings, 

 but are generally seen in the woods and orchards. 



In Eastern Massachusetts they are not common, but scattered pairs have 

 been met with in Concord, Acton, Newton, Hingham, and in other places. 



Dr. Coues states that the Great-crested Flycatcher reaches Washington 

 the third week in April, and leaves the last of September. It is a common 

 summer resident, but is most numerous in the spring and autumn. It is 

 found on the edge of open woods, and betrays its presence by its peculiar 

 notes. In the \vestern part of Massachusetts, Mr. Allen gives it as a rare 

 summer visitant, having been taken by him from May 15 to September 17, 

 and having been found breeding on Mount Tom by Mr. C. W. Bennett. 

 It is found abundantly in the Middle and Southern States as far south as 

 Florida and Texas, and occurs as far to the west as the Missouri Pdver. 

 Dr. Woodhouse found it very abundant in Texas and in the Indian Terri- 

 tory, and Mr. Dresser obtained specimens at San Antonio in the month of 

 April. 



In speaking of the habits of this species, Wilson accuses it of being 



