66 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



ing- at the other. The background is a rich cream-color. 

 and is diversified about the larger end with u wreath of pur- 

 ple and lilac spots, which are large, and occasionally con- 

 fluent. They measure .76 inches in length and .^4 inches 

 in width. 



Empidonax acadicus, 



This species, the Small Green-crested Flycatcher, ap- 

 pertains to Eastern North America ; but its northern and 

 eastern distribution has not been accurately determined. 

 Mr. Lawrence mentions its occurrence in the neighborhood 



O 



of New York City, and Mr. Allen obtained a single speci- 

 men near Springfield, Mass., which is the only evidence 

 of its being found in New England. Near Hamilton, 

 Canada West, Mr. Mcllwraith gives it as a very rare 

 summer resident. Mr. Ridgway found it to be the most 

 abundant of the Empidonaces in Southern Illinois, where it 

 is known to breed in the same woods with TrailPs fly- 

 catcher. Near San Antonio, Texas, it is a not uncommon 

 species, according to Mr. Dresser ; and in Texas, New 

 Mexico, and the Indian Territory, Dr. Woodhouse mentions 

 it as being quite common. Twenty-five years ago, Dr. Hov 

 found it very abundant in the vicinity of Racine, Wis., but 

 of late years, it has almost wholly disappeared. Near Wash- 

 ington, Dr. Coues found it breeding in great numbers, and 

 by far the most abundant of the kind. Mr. George O. 

 Welch discovered a very fine nest of this species near Indi- 

 anapolis, Indiana. 



In Eastern Pennsylvania, it occurs in great abundance. It 

 arrives from the South, occasionally during the last week of 

 April, when the weather is fine ; but, ordinarily, not before 

 the beginning of May. It prefers a life of seclusion, which 

 the coverts of dense pine-forests, afford. This, however, is 

 merely at the time of its first advent. But as the mating 

 period approaches, these quiet retreats are abandoned for 

 less retired localities. Wherever found, it is exceedingly 



