332 THE MOUNTAIN. 



of the State, where he is common. A. quarrelsome, crusty, 

 and pugnacious bird, he may be seen carrying on his 

 usual sparrings with almost everything that flies. A 

 type of the now fashionable fillibuster, his quarrels have 

 generally some gain to himself in prospective, a fight of 

 some kind, but would prefer one that he will be the gainer 

 after the fight is over. A redeeming trait is his " courage 

 and affection for his mate and young," dwelt upon by his 

 biographers, who also delight to array this little tyrant with 

 many wonderful attributes, which are generally supposed to 

 belong to the human species alone. Geographic range, from 

 Mexico to Canada. 



TYRANNUS Crinitus, (Linn.) This species is rarely seen 

 on the mountains. 



TYRANULA Fusca. This is the well-known pe-wee, or 

 pewit fly-catcher. It is as common as the chipping sparrow, 

 and is found everywhere, near caves, barns, bridges, and 

 rock-ledges along streams. Its few notes are known to all, 

 and its habits familiar to every one. An innocent catcher 

 of flies, he sits silently near his nest watching for his winged 

 prey, which he catches by a sudden whirl in the air, then 

 quietly resumes his perch. His few plaintive notes are 

 always welcome as announcing spring. 



TYRANULA Virens, wood pe-wee. This species is found 

 in the forests of the mountain, as also the species "acadica." 

 They are shy, solitary birds, and may be seen sitting quietly 

 in the dark woods watching for their prey, which they take 

 with great dexterity by quick circles in the air, returning to 

 the spot from which they started. The wood pe-wee has a 

 few peculiarly plaintive notes of a tender, touching strain, 

 which, in the silent woods, come upon the ear with a strange, 

 unearthly charm, awaking thoughts and emotions that per- 

 haps no other sound could bring to the soul. Plain in 

 form, solitary in habits, it seems to brood, and the re- 

 collection alone of its position on the dry branch of a 

 tree, in the deep forest, brings pictures of cool retired 

 shades, solitude, and silence. 



