36 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



The flight of this Flycatcher is steady ;>nd swift, and when 

 in pursuit of prey, is somewhat prolonged. For remarkable 

 zeal and perseverance in this direction, it is scarcely unsur- 

 passed by any other of our smaller species. When any prey 

 is captured, if it happen to be a large insect, it is immedi- 

 ately carried by the captor to its perch, and beaten to death 

 against the limb. 



Its ordinary call-note is a sharp unpleasant squeak which 

 is difficult to express in syllables. Its song, if it can be so 

 characterized, is a monotonous succession of harsh squeaking 

 notes, which produce any thing but music to the ear of the 

 listener. The call-note, according to Mr. Mi not, is a "sin- 

 gle loud brusque note (not unlike the ordinary call of the 

 Quail"), which may be imitated "by whistling and suddenly 

 drawing in the breath." Our experience in Eastern Penn- 

 sylvania, and we have had abundant opportunities of testing 

 its accuracy, is certainly in favor of the great mass of writers 

 who have given a description of the vocal powers of this 

 species. 



In about two weeks after their arrival, the sexes begin 

 to pair. A short time ensues, before they are ready to breed. 

 Nidification is entered into with comparative vigor during 

 the last week in May, and, occasionally, this important busi- 

 ness is deferred until the first week of June. The nest is 

 the result of the joint labor of both sexes. It is constructed 

 in a hollow tree. When built close to human habitations. :i 

 pear or an apple tree is mostly chosen. The cavity is often 

 the previous labor of some hard working wood-pecker, pos- 

 sibly Colaptcs auratus. 



Mr. Samuels says "the nests are composed of straws. 

 leaves, feathers, and the cast oft' skins of snakes." He fur- 

 ther affirms "it seems a distinguishing characteristic of the 

 nests of this species, to have the skins of one or more snakes 

 woven into the other materials." This has been the exper- 

 ience of others. Dr. Brewer says the species "nests alto- 

 gether in hollows in trees, stumps, or limbs." These hoi- 



