Species XVI. MUSCICAPA MINUTA. 



SMALL-HEADED FLYCATCHER. 



[Plate L. Fig. 5, Male.] 



This very rare species is the only one I have met with, and is drawn 

 reduced to half its size, to correspond with the rest of the figures on the 

 same plate. It was shot on the twenty-fourth of April, in an orchard, 

 and was remarkably active, running, climbing and darting about among 

 the opening buds and blossoms with extraordinary agility. From what 

 quarter of the United States or of North America it is a wanderer, I 

 am unable to determine, having never before met with an individual of 

 the species. Its notes and manner of breeding are also alike unknown 

 to me. This was a male : it measured five inches long, and eight and 

 a quarter in extent ; the upper parts were dull yellow olive ; the wings 

 dusky brown edged with lighter ; the greater and lesser coverts tipped 

 with white ; the lower parts dirty white, stained with dull yellow, par- 

 ticularly on the upper parts of the breast ; the tail dusky brown, the 

 two exterior feathers marked like those of many others with a spot of 

 white on the inner vanes ; head remarkably small ; bill broad at the 

 base, furnished with bristles, and notched near the tip ; legs dark brown : 

 feet yellowish ; eye dark hazel. 



Since writing the above I have shot several individuals of this species 

 •in various quarters of New Jersey, particularly in swamps. They all 

 appear to be nearly alike in plumage. Having found them there in 

 June, there is no doubt of their breeding in that state, and probably in 

 such situations far to the southward ; for many of the southern summer 

 birds that rarely visit Pennsylvania, are yet common to the swamps and 

 pine woods of New Jersey. Similarity of soil and situation, of plants 

 and trees, and consequently of fruits, seeds, insects, &c., are doubtless 

 their inducements. The summer Red-bird, Great Carolina Wren, Pine- 

 creeping Warbler, and many others, are rarely seen in Pennsylvania, 

 or to the northward, though they are common in many parts of West 

 Jcsey. 



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