380 THE OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER. 
old Cliff Swallow's nest, placed in a shady niche at a height of some twelve 
feet, formed the support of the Pewee’s accumulations. The cliff was perfectly 
straight, but by dint of half an hour’s work piling lava blocks and securing 
footholds, with the aid of a double-bladed paddle he succeeded in reaching the 
nest. Requiring the use of both hands in descent, he placed the four fresh eggs 
in his hat, and the hat in his teeth, reaching the ground safely and depositing 
the hat carefully. Tired out by the exertion he flung himself down upon the 
narrow strip of shore and rested. Then noting the rising wind, he sprang up, 
seized the coat and hat and—Oh! Did something drop? ! ! Yes, gentle 
reader, the eggs were in it,—but only one was smashed. Only eaed As 
perfect the arch without its keystone as a “set” of eggs with the guilty con- 
sciousness of one missing! 
No. 146 
OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER. 
A. O. U. No. 459. Nuttallornis borealis (Swains. ) 
Description Adult: Upperparts brownish slate with a just perceptible 
tinge of olivaceous on back; top of head a deeper shade, and without olivaceous ; 
wings and tail dusky-blackish, the former with some brownish gray edging only 
on tertials; flank-tufts of fluffy, yellowish or white feathers, sometimes spreading 
across rump and in marked contrast to it, but usually concealed by wings; throat, 
belly and crissum, and sometimes middle line of breast, white or yellowish white ; 
heavily shaded on sides and sometimes across breast with brow nish gray or olive- 
brown,—the feathers with darker shaft-streaks; bill black above, pale yellow be- 
low; feet black. Jmmature: Similar to adult, but coloration a little brighter; 
wing-coverts fulvous or buffy. Length 7.00-8.00 (177.8-203.2) ; wing 4.16 
(105.7) ; tail 2.64 (67.1); bill from nostril .53 (13.5); tarsus .59 (15). 
Recognition Marks.—Sparrow to Chewink size; heavy shaded sides; bill 
yellow below ; tew-tew note; keeps largely to summits of fir trees. 
Nesting.—Nest: a shallow cup of twigs, bark-strips, etc., lined with coarse 
moss and rootlets; saddled upon horizontal limb of coniferous trees, often at great 
heights. Eggs: 3 or 4, creamy-white or pale buff, spotted distinctly with chestnut 
and rufous, and obscurely with purplish and lavender, chiefly in ring about larger 
end. Av. size, .85 x .63 (21.6x 16). Seasom: June 1-15; one brood. 
General Range.—North America, breeding from the northern and the higher 
mountainous parts of the United States northw ard to Hudson Bay and Alaska. 
Accidental in Greenland. In winter south to Central America, Colombia and 
northern Peru. 
Range in Washington.—Summer resident in coniferous timber from sea 
level to limit of trees. 
Migrations.—S pring: c. May 15. 
Authorities.—Contopus borealis, Baird, Baird, Rep. Pac. R. R. Surv. IX. 
1858, p. 189: Ibid C&S. 169. C&S. Dt. Kb. Ra. B. E. 
Specimens.—U. of W. P*. Prov. B. E. 
