TYRAXXTD.E — THE FLYCATriTERS. 335 



Habits. Tlie common Great-rrostnl Flycatcher of eastern Xorth America 

 has a much more extended northern distribution than has been generally 

 given it by earlier writers. Wilson speaks of it only as a bird of Pennsyl- 

 vania. Audubon mentions their occurring as far as Massachusetts, but as 

 confined to the mountains, and as entirelv unknown farther eastward. Mr. 

 Nuttall refers to it as nearly unknown in New England, and as never 

 appearing near the coast. • 



It is now known to be a regular though a somewhat rare summer resident, 

 at least as far to the northeast as St. Stei)hen, New Brunswick, latitude 45° 

 north, longitude 67° west, and as lar to the north in Vermont as Kandolph, 

 and Hamilton in Canada, both in about latitude 44°. Mr. P>oardnian men- 

 tions it as a regular summer visitant, and as breeding near Calais. Pro- 

 fessor Verrill gives it as a rare summer visitant of Western Maine. Mr. 

 JMcHwraith states it to be a common summer resident of Hamilton, Canada 

 West, where it arrives about the lOtli of May, after which its htarsh cry 

 is heard in all parts of the w^oods. It winters in Central America and 

 Panama. 



In a letter dated June 17, 1865, Mr. C S. Paine of Randolph, Yt., in- 

 formed me that he had, within a few days, found a nest of this Flycatcher. 

 It was built in the hollow of a decayed apple-tree, in one of its liml>s. The 

 nest was built uj) from the bottom of the cavity some eight inches, and con- 

 tained six eggs. Though not very abundant in that neighborhood, Mr. Paine 

 had been aware, for several years, of the occurrence of this Flycatcher, but 

 had never before been able to ascertain its manner of nesting. He has 

 since informed me that these Flycatchers have continued to occur every 

 summer, as they always make their presence known by their harsh notes, 

 which may be heard to t^uite a distance, and he knows that the/ breed there 

 regularly every year, l^iey are shy, and do not come about the buildings, 

 but are generallv seen in the woods and orchards. 



In Eastern Massachusetts they are not connnon, hut scattered pairs have 

 been met with in Concord, Acton, Xewton, Hingham, and in other places. 



Dr. Cones states that the Great-crested Flycatcher reaches Washington 

 the third week in April, and leaves the last of September. It is a common 

 summer resident, but is most numerous in the spring and autumn. It is 

 found on the edge of open woods, and betrays its presence by its peculiar 

 notes. In the western part of Massachusetts, Mr. Allen gives it as a rare 

 summer visitant, having l)een taken by him from May 15 to September 17, 

 and having been found breeding on Mount Tom by Mr. C. W. Bennett. 

 It is found abundantly in the ^Middle and Southern States as far south as 

 Florida and Texas, and occurs as far to the west as the Missouri River. 

 Dr. Woodhouse found it yery abundant in Texas and in the Indian Terri- 

 tory, and Mr. Dresser obtained specimens at San Antonio in the month of 

 April. 



In speaking of the habits of this species, Wilson accuses it of being 



