7(5 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



Empidonax minimus, 



The Least Flycatcher is very common throughout Eastern 

 North America. It is migratory from the Atlantic to the 

 Great Plains, and breeds over an extent of country, though 

 inaccurately defined, which stretches from the 4Oth parallel 

 northward to probably within the Arctic Circle. 



This Flycatcher reaches Washington about the last of 

 April, according to Dr. Coues, where it remains nearly a fort- 

 night ; and thence retires to its more northern habitat. The 

 same distinguished writer mentions it as a migrant in South 

 Carolina. Mr. Dresser gives it as a common summer resident 



O 



near San Antonio, although no mention is made of it by Dr. 

 Woodhouse, nor by the Mexican Survey. Mr. Sumichrast did 

 not even observe it in Vera Cruz. Mr. Boardman speaks of 

 it as occurring at Calais, and Prof.Verrill found it quite com- 

 mon in the western part of the State, where it breeds in con- 

 siderable numbers. At Hamilton, Canada West, Mr. Mc- 

 II wraith affirms it to be quite a common summer resident. 

 In Massachusetts, it is one of the most abundant species. 

 and arrives from the zoth of April to the ist of May. 



This Flycatcher is rather rare in Eastern Pennsylvania, 

 arriving during the last week of April, and, occasionally, as 

 late as the first week of May. Its stay is rarely, if ever. 

 prolonged beyond a week. At the expiration of this 

 time, it seeks more northern latitudes, for the purposes .of 

 breeding. Unlike the species last described, it is far from 

 being unnecessarily shy, and seemingly courts rather than 

 shuns the society of man. It delights in open grounds, and 

 will not hesitate to visit gardens in close proximity to houses. 

 when in quest of food. The borders of small streams are 

 also favorite resorting-places. 



During its short stay, we have never noticed the slightest 

 indication of the quarrelsome disposition w r hich is so strik- 

 ingly characteristic of acadicus, and in a less degree, of 

 Traillii. When foraging, our smaller species are permitted 



