234 BIRDS OF THE NEW YORK CITY REGION 



ACADIAN FLYCATCHER (Empidonax virescens) 

 The identifiability in life of the species of Empidonax is a 

 matter to which Messrs. W. DeW. Miller, J. T. Nichols, C. 

 H. Rogers and the writer have given special attention. Col- 

 lecting has proved that in spite of the greatest care, it is 

 impossible to be absolutely certain in separating the Acadian, 

 Alder and Least Flycatchers by color characters even in the 

 spring. In the fall plumage it is out of the question, the 

 determination of museum skins often being very critical. 

 It is quite true that extremes in size or highly plumaged 

 individuals can often be named with approximate certainty, 

 but even here collecting has proved a low percentage of error. 

 The songs of all three species are, however, easily recogniz- 

 able. Unfortunately, while the Chebec sings regularly on 

 migration, the two rarer species are generally silent. In this 

 respect they are exasperating birds. Every spring and fall I 

 see individuals which I am convinced are one or; the other, 

 but all too rarely will they open their mouths and sing their 

 names. The records for these species given are based either 

 on collected specimens or when satisfactory evidence is sub- 

 mitted that the bird was singing. All other reports and 

 observations have been rejected. 



The Acadian Flycatcher was formerly a not uncommon 

 summer resident in some sections near New York City. For 

 some reason it has unaccountably disappeared, and is now 

 practically unknown. An occasional singing bird shows that 

 transients are present in spring, but even so there is 

 enough evidence to warrant the statement that it has 

 decreased. Just why this species should have done so is a 

 question for which I have no available explanation. 



Long Island. Formerly bred locally from Jamaica to Oyster 

 Bay and on Gardiner's Island. Its presence in most parts of this area 

 at the present time requires confirmation. The only authenticated 

 dates are May 19 to July 11, which are not at all representative. 



ORIENT. Rare summer resident on Gardiner's Island. [No 

 satisfactory migration dates. L. G.]. 



