EMPIDONAX TRAILLr. 417 



;ii?a.in to his porch on some favorite branch, quietly reiterating his chc-bcck. He has very 

 little time to rest, however, especially during the misiTating: season, for he is constantly 

 called upon to drive some intruder from his domains and no matter how large the spcxies 

 may be they are all forced to retreat, most ignominiously defeated, before the sudden ann 

 well directed attacks of their little foe. This extreme pugnacity, however, is only exliili- 

 ited during the excitement of the breeding season; after the eggs are laid and domestic 

 cares engage his attention, his tyrannical spirit becomes somewhat subdued and then be 

 is gradually transformed into as sedate and peaceful a member of avian society as can be 

 found in the orchard. 



As already described, the usual notes of the Least Flycatchers are very abrupt, they 

 are also extremely harsh and attract attention by their oddity for they form a strong con- 

 trast to the harmonious strains of many of the Oscines. These Flycatchers, however, 

 frequently make an attempt to sing, for they will alight on a twig, flutter their wings, at 

 the same time uttering a feeble twitter which is so low that it can be heard but a few 

 yards yet, in comparison to their other efforts, it is somewhat melodious. This rude lay 

 is only practiced during the breeding season for when the young appear, both sexes are 

 busily engaged in supplying them with food. 



The Least Flycatchers begin to build soon after their arrival but, as some time is re- 

 quired to construct their domiciles, the eggs are not generally deposited until the first 

 week in June. The situations chosen are almost invariably forked twigs on apple trees, 

 for these birds are fond of the open country, seldom being seen in the deep woods. Both 

 .sexes incubate and the young hatch in less than two weeks. They are veiy unsuspicious 

 when they nest near houses and a pair that built in a tree near my door the past summer 

 would permit me to examine their neatly constructed home without evincing any concern, 

 even when it contained young. The young are out of the nest by July and accompany 

 their parents for a short time but they soon learn to provide for themselves, when (hey 

 scatter about the country, often entering the woods at this season. I do not think that 

 Ihe adults moult at all while in the north as I never took one that was assuming the au- 

 tumnal dress, even as f\xr south as Pennsylvania. They do not remain late in the season, 

 generally leaving Massachusetts by the second week in September, but I have seen them 

 as late as the twentieth of the month. They linger for a short time in Pennsylvania 

 when they inhabit the woods, rather avoiding the open country, but before the first of 

 October there is not one to be found in the north. 



There are few birds which are of more benefit to the husbandman than the Least Fly- 

 catchers as they ha^e few faults and the quantity of insects which they destroy is very 

 lar:!;c. These are mainly captured where they are doing the greatest amount of damage, 

 for these Flycatchers do not wander far from the gardens and orchards in which they build. 

 I>e>-ides snapping up numbers of diptercnis insects, they feed largely upon small beetles of 

 variovis species, and I have oven known them to eat canker worms. Thus, although not 

 so ornamental or melodious as many of our native species, we must cheerfully accord this 

 quaint litlle Fljicatcher a place in our gardens for which it will amply rep<iy ns by doing 

 its best to check the increase of our insect enemies. 



iJiitDs or iijjiiiiiA. 24 



