426 FLYCATCHERS. 



Connecticut valley. It is abundant in Ohio and Illinois, but has 

 not been observed in Ontario. 



I have not met with this species in the field, but those who have 

 been so fortunate describe it as a shy bird, seeking the low, moist 

 thicket and shaded groves rather than the open pastures. Dr. 

 Coues thinks the nest "may be compared to a light hammock 

 swung between forks." It is shallow and saucer-shaped, and so 

 loosely made that the eggs may be seen from below. Dr. Wheaton 

 states that so much loose grass is left on the outside of the nest 

 "that it looks like a tuft of hay caught by the limb from a load 

 driven under it." 



YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER. 



Empidonax flaviventris. 



Char. Upper parts dull olive, darker on the crown ; under parts 

 bright yellow, shaded with olive on the breast ; wing-bars pale yellow ; a 

 yellow ring around the eye. Length 5% to 6 inches. 



Nest. Amid moss-covered roots of upturned tree or mossy log ; of 

 twigs, or vegetable fibre, or moss, lined with roots, or fine grass, or 

 moss. 



Eggs. 4 ; pale buff, sparingly spotted, mostly about larger end, with 

 reddish brown ; 0.70 X 0.50. 



This species was discovered about 1843, ^^d for many years — as 

 late as 1880— was considered a rare bird. Even now compar- 

 atively few persons are familiar with it, though it occurs through- 

 out this Eastern Province. It is common in New England, 

 breeding in the northern portion, and occurs on the higher hills 

 elsewhere. I found it abundant in New Brunswick, and it has 

 been traced northward to the lower Hudson Bay region. Macoun 

 reports it common at Lake Mistissini. 



Dr. Wheaton considered it a common migrant through Ohio, but 

 observers in Ontario have met with it so seldom as to think it rare. 

 It is common in Illinois and in portions of Manitoba. 



The notes of this species have caused much discussion, — some 

 writers claiming for it an individuality, and others insisting that it 

 utters nothing different from the notes of trailliiox nnninms. The 

 kil-lic oi flaviventris seems, to my ear, quite different from the 

 ke-wink of Traill's, — which is rather sibilant, and is delivered 

 with a rising inflection, — as also from the che-bec of the Least 

 Flycatcher. While the latter delivers his two notes in rapid stac- 



