426 FLYCATCHERS. 



The Acadian Flycatcher belongs to the Middle States rather 

 than to New England, and has been taken but once north of the 

 Connecticut valley. It is abundant in Ohio and Illinois, but has 

 not been observed in Ontario. Mr. Thompson reports it as com- 

 mon in Manitoba. It breeds south to Florida, and winters in 

 Central America. 



I have not met with this species in the field, but those who have 

 been so fortunate describe it as a shy bird, seeking the low, moist 

 thicket and shaded groves rather than the open pastures. Dr. 

 Coues thinks the nest " may be compared to a light hammock 

 swung between forks." It is shallow and saucer-shaped, and so 

 loosely made that the eggs may be seen from below. Dr. Wheaton 

 states that so much loose grass is left on the outside of the nest 

 " that it looks like a tuft of hay caught by the limb from a load 

 driven under it." 



Mr. Chapman tells us that the most common call of this bird is 

 " a single spee or peet repeated at short intervals, and accompanied 

 by a rapid twitching of the tail. A more peculiar note is a louder 

 pee-e-yuk. The bird seems to articulate this note with difficulty, 

 with bill pointing upward and wings trembling, like a fledgling 

 begging for food." 



YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER. 

 Empidonax flaviventris. 



Char. Upper parts dull olive, darker on the crown ; under parts 

 bright yellow, shaded with olive on the breast; wing-bars pale yellow; a 

 yellow ring around the eye. Length 5^ to 6 inches. 



Nest. Amid moss-covered roots of upturned tree or mossy log ; of 

 twigs, or vegetable fibre, or moss, lined with roots, or fine grass, or 

 moss. 



Eggs. 4; pale buff, sparingly spotted, mostly about larger end, with 

 reddish brown; 0.70 X 0.50. 



This species was discovered about 1843, and for many years — 

 as late as 1880 — was considered a rare bird. Even now compar- 

 atively few persons are familiar with it, though it occurs throughout 

 this Eastern Province. It is common in New England, breeding 

 in the northern portion, and occurs on the higher hills elsewhere. 

 I found it abundant in New Brunswick, and it has been traced 

 northward to the lower Hudson Bay region. Macoun reports it 

 common at Lake Mistissini. 



