272 NATURivL, History Bulletin. 



The pugnacity of the king-bird is a constant source of 

 wonder. But wherefore this pugnacity? Its food is insects, 

 and rapidity and dexterity are valuable in securing them, 

 but pugnacity for this purpose is about as necessary as 

 in quail-shooting. It seems to me that the explanation 

 may lie in the fact that the bird derives a pleasure in its 

 skill and dexterity, and enjoys exercising them on larger and 

 more formidable animals than its accustomed prey. In other 

 words he is a little bully, and delights in it. Incidentally, of 

 course, this may be a protection, but rapidity and dexterity 

 alone would, it seems, serve to keep it out of danger. The 

 writer is a strong believer in the intensity and variety of the 

 emotion of birds, and is confident that they do a great many 

 things merely for "the fun of it," in which they resemble 

 childrea and other young mammals. 



Sayornis phcebe (Lath.). Phoebe. Apparently not com- 

 mon. One specimen secured. 



Empidonax flaviventris. Baird. TeUow-hellied Fly- 

 catcher. One specimen secured. 



Empidonax difficilis Baird. Bairdh Flycatcher. Com- 

 mon at Grand Rapids in the dead timber of the muskeg. 

 Three specimens secured. 



Empidonax minimus Baird. Least Flycatcher. Common 

 at Grand Rapids. The small flycatchers collected by us are 

 somewhat difficult of identification. Indeed, I am unable to 

 see how any one can identify them at sight while alive in the 

 woods, and yet such expressions as "Saw least flycatcher in 

 scrub along the river "^ is by no means rare in reports and 

 collectors' notes. In my opinion, notes on these small and 

 little differentiated species are of doubtful use unless the speci- 

 mens themselves are secured. 



Empidonax pusillus traillii. (Aud.). TrailPs Fly- 

 catcher. Very common at Chemawawin, especially in the 



1 The Birds of Manitoba. Thompson, Page 562. 



