SONGLESS BIRDS. Flycatchers 



of nests were made entirely of blossoms, being rarely more 

 than eight or ten feet from the ground, and so open at the 

 bottom that the eggs could be seen from underneath. He 

 also says that it is a common resident of Pennsylvania from 

 May until late September, at which season it ekes out its 

 insect diet with berries. 



Its nest is variously described as " a light hammock swung 

 between forks," and "a tuft of hay caught by the limb from 

 a load driven under it." 



Least Flycatcher : Empidonax minimus. 



Length : 5-5.50 inches. 



Male and Female : Olive-gray, brightest on the head, paler on wings 



and rump. Whitish eye ring, and wing-bars. Breast whitish, 



growing more yellow toward vent. Bill dusky. Feet black. 

 Note: "Che-bee! Chebec ! " (Coues.) 

 Season : Common summer resident ; May to late September. 

 Breeds : From Pennsylvania northward. 

 Nest : In upright crotch of tree or bush, substantial and well cupped. 



Materials varying with the location, plant fibres and weeds, 



lined with down and sometimes horsehair. 

 Eggs : Usually unmarked, occasionally faintly spotted. 

 Range : Eastern North America, south in winter to Central America. 



The least of his tribe, the mite, whose olive poll is seen 

 in great numbers darting about the orchard in May and 

 again in late September when the decaying fruit attracts 

 numerous insects. He is abundant, useful, and sociable, 

 though neither possessing gay feathers nor a single musical 

 note, yet he fills his own corner, doing his part in helping 

 man to keep the upper hand over the insect world. These 

 Flycatchers are solicitous parents and, as a rule, show great 

 affection for their young, becoming almost frantic if the 

 nest is approached. 



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