7'2 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



Empidonax traillii, />w/v. 



Traill's Flycatcher was originally found in Arkansas, and 



described bv Audubon. It has a tolerably wide distribution. 

 Dr. \Yoodhouse found it quite abundant in Texas, and in 

 the Indian Territory. Near San Antonio, Dr. Dresser dis- 

 covered it to be a common summer resident, and observed 

 its eggs and small pensile nest. In South Carolina, Dr. 

 Cones observed it, but whether as a migrant, or a resident 

 species, he does not say. Mr. Mcllwraith gives it as rare 

 during the summer, in the vicinity of Hamilton, Canada 

 West. Mr. Boardman found it in Calais, and Prof. Verrill, 

 a regular but by no means a common summer resident, in 

 Western Maine. In the summer of 1872. Mr. Brewster 

 discovered it to be quite abundant near Lake Umbagog. 

 In Massachusetts, it occurs very irregularly as a migrant, 

 and in but a single instance, has been known to breed. Mr. 

 Allen found it very rare near Springfield, from the roth to 

 the 1 5th of May, and thought it bred there. Several indi- 

 viduals have been shot in Lynn by Mr. Welch, but their 

 stay seemed limited to a day or so. It has been found to be 

 a very common species at Randolph, Vt., where its habits 

 have been slightly examined bv Mr. Charles S. Paine. Near 

 Washington, Dr. Cones found it to be a rare visitant both 

 in the spring and in the fall, and supposed a few remained 

 to nest. Prof. Baird frequently encountered it in the vicin- 

 ity of Carlisle, Pa., and Mr. Ridgwav has observed it to be 

 a very common species in Southern Illinois. 



In Eastern Pennsylvania, this Flycatcher is both a rare 

 spring and autumnal migrant. It arrives during the first 

 week of May. and is mainly found in dense thickets border- 

 ing streams of water. It delights in retirement, and is 

 exceedingly shy and distrustful. Upon the romantic hills of 

 our Wissahickon, isolated individuals have been met with, 

 but never more than one or two during a season. Its habits 

 ot feeding are similar to those of acadicitt. Though lack- 



