Descriptive List 209 



aliout the end of April or in the first days of May, and has been known to remain 

 with us as late as September 11. The nest is a shallow, saucer-shaped structure, 

 attached by the edges to the fork of a drooping limb of a dogwood, beech, or 

 other favorite tree. It is a frail, light structure — so thin, in fact, that the eggs 

 can frequently be seen through the bottom of the nest from below. The rim of the 

 nest is contracted and the contents are thus prevented from rolling out. The eggs 

 are usually three in number, of a buffy ground-color, ornamented vnih reddish- 

 brown spots, often in a wreath, near the big end. Size .71 x .53. 



The bird's characteristic note is an explosive chip or chup, uttered when it 

 is at rest, and usually accompanied with a jerk of the tail. It also makes a noise 

 with its wings when flying from one perch to another, somewhat like that produced 

 by a dove when taking wing. Its favorite haunts are dense woods, especially those 

 along small woodland streams. 



194. Empidonax trailli alnorum {Brewst.). Alder Flycatcher. 



Description. — Olive-brown above, first wing-quill shorter than fifth. Underparts whitish. 

 a suggestion of gray on the breast and bellv, washed with whitish. Extreme measurements 

 of 4 Raleigh specimens: L., .5.3.5-6.00; W., 2.65-2.S5; T., 1.7.5-2.2,5. 



Rajige in United States. — Breeds from Northern States northward; winters south of the 

 United States. 



Range in North Carolina. — Has so far been taken only in Wake and Buncombe coimties 

 during the migrations. 



i«^- 



Fig. 164. Alder Flyc.^tciii;r. 



The Traill's, or Alder Flycatcher, resembles the Wood Pewee more than the other 

 small flycatchers, but, besides being smaller, it possesses wings decidedly shorter 

 and legs that are chstinctly longer. In this State it has thus far been taken only 

 at Raleigh, on May 14, 1892; ]\Iay 1(3, 1893; September 21, 1893; and Augu.st 21, 

 1898; and in Buncombe County by Cairns in September, 1889. It is quite unlikely 

 that it will ever be found breeding in North Carolina, unless perchance in some of 

 the higher mountains. The nest is said to be cup-shaped, well made, and usually 

 placed in a fork where two t^vigs leave the main stem of some small tree or bush. 

 The bird is partial to the alder thickets which grow along streams. The eggs do 

 not materially differ in appearance from those of the two preceding species. 



195. Empidonax minimus (TT. M. and S. F. Baird). Least Flycatcher. 



Description: Ads. — Upperparts between olive-green and oHve or olive-brown; wings and 

 tail fuscous; greater and lesser wing-coverts tinged with ashy white; underparts whitish, 



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