224 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS EGGS. 



466a. Alder Flycatcher. Empidonax traillii alnorum. 



Range. United States, east of the Mississippi and north to New Brunswick. 



The only difference between this and the preceding variety is in the more 

 greenish upper parts. They are quite abundant in the breeding season from 

 New England and northern New York northward, frequenting, to a great extent, 

 alder thickets bordering streams. Their nests and eggs do not differ appreci- 

 ably from those of the western variety of Traill Flycatcher. 



467. Least Flycatcher. Empidonax minimus. 



Range. North America, east of the Rockies and north to the interior of Can- 

 ada, wintering south of the United States. 



These little birds (5.5 inch long) are common about houses 

 and orchards on the outskirts of cities, and on the edges of for- 

 ests or open woods. They are very frequently known by the 

 name of Chebec from their continually uttered note. In nearly 

 [White ] a ^ instances, the nests are placed in upright forks at elevations 

 varying from four to twenty-four feet from the ground. The 

 nests are made chiefly of plant fibres, fine grasses, string, cobwebs, etc., and 

 the three to five eggs are pale creamy white; size .65 x .50. 



468. Hammond Flycatcher. Empidonax hammondi. 



Range. North America, west of the Rockies and from British 

 Columbia southward, wintering south of the United States. 



This western representative of the Least Flycatcher is less 

 abundant and more shy, but has the same nesting habits as the 

 eastern birds, placing its nests either in upright crotches or, 

 more rarely, upon horizontal branches at a low elevation. The [White ] 

 eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the last species. 



469. Wright Flycatcher. Empidonax wrightii. 



Range. Western United States, breeding from the Mexican border to Oregon, 

 and wintering south of the United States. 



A very similar bird to the last but whiter below. It is a much 

 more abundant species than the last and is found breeding in 

 open woods and thickets on all the ranges. The nests are built 

 like those of the Least Flycatcher and nearly always are found in 

 the crotch of trees or bushes at a low elevation; their nests, like 

 [White 1 those of the two preceding species, bear a strong resemblance to 

 those of the Yellow Warblers which are found in the same locali- 

 ties and locations. The eggs are pale creamy white, four in number and meas- 

 ure .68 x .52. 



