20 CoUES on Nesting of Flycatchers in Missouri. 



we fully substantiated. Their nesting-place was about fifteen miles north- 

 westerly from Herman, on the border of a small stream, nearly choked with 

 grass, called the Mustinka River. They were discovered about the last 

 of June, 1878,' and frequent visits were paid to them by the inhabitants of 

 Herman, who considered it a nine-days wonder. A number of eggs had 

 been taken, and the birds were otherwise greatly disturbed, so that this 

 year they had deserted the locality. Although we spent a whole day in 

 the search we were unable to find them. We saw several, however, at 

 Brown's Valley and on Lake Traverse, but we were unable to discover 

 their nesting-plaCe. 



79. Graculus dilophus, {Sio.) Gray. Double-crested Cormo- 

 rant. — Seen several times in Grant County. Probably breeds in the 

 timber at Elbow Lake. 



80. ? Larus dela-warensis, Ord. Ring-billed Gull. — A single 

 large Gull seen, supposed to be of this species. 



81. Larus franklini, Rich. Franklin's Rosy Gull. — Common. 

 This bird, in common with several others, has a habit of following the 

 breaking-teams to pick up the insects and grubs turned up with the fresh 

 soil. It is called by the farmers the Prairie Dove. 



82. Sterna forsteri, Nutt. Forster's Tern. Abundant in- both 

 counties. The condition of the birds shot showed plainly that they were 

 nesting, but we were unable to find the eggs. 



83. Hydrochelidon lariformis, (Linn.) Coues. Black Tern. — 

 Abundant. 



84. Colymbus torquatus, Brunn. LooN. — Common. 



85. Podiceps cornutus, Lath. Horned Grebe. — Several Grebes 

 seen in a pool near Herman appeared to be of this species. 



86. Podilymbus podiceps, {Linn.) Lawr. Pied-billed Grebe. — 

 Common ; seemed to be just building, June 10. 



ON THE NESTING IN MISSOURI OF EMPIDONAX ACADI- 

 CUS AND EMPIDONAX TRAILLI. 



BY DR. ELLIOTT COUES, U. S. A. 



Though we have heard of kite a guod deal about the nesting of 

 our small Flycatchers, there is yet room for remarks upon the same 

 subject ; for our standard works have, perhaps without exception, 

 given a life so vigorous to certain errors, that numerous contribu- 

 tions to this Bulletin from competent observers are no more than 

 required to set the matter clearly forth. It is none too easy to tell 



