370 NORTH lUIERICAX BI^DS. 



inii^mtion. Pr. AVoodliouse found it very common both in Texas and in 

 tlie Indian Territory. Mr. Dresser found it common durini^ the sunmier 

 season near San Antonio, and o the eastward, breeding there, and building a 

 small hanging nest. He also had its eggs sent to him from Systerdale. The 

 stomach of the specimen he procured contained minute insects. Tt is men- 

 tioned bv Dr. E. C'oues as found in South Carolina, but whether as a miurant 

 or as a resident is not stated. I )r. William P. TurnbuU refers to it as mre near 

 riiiladelphia, and as only a sjuing and autumnal migrant. Mr. McIl^^Taith 

 cites it as a rare sunnner visitant near Hamilton, Canada West. It is 

 mentioned by ^Ir. Boardman as found near Calais, but has not been recorded 

 as oeeurring in Xova Scotia, as far as I am aware. In Western Maine, Pro- 

 fessor Verrill found it a regular but not a common summer visitant, arriving 

 tliere the third week in May. And Mr. Brewster found it breeding in con- 

 siderable abundance near Lake Umbagog in the summer of 1872. 



In Massachusetts it has been found to occur very irregularly, and so far 

 chiefly as a mi nnt, at least I am not aware that it has been known, ex- 

 cept in a single instance, to breed within the limits of that State. It passes 

 through the State about the middle of ^lay, is rare some seasons, much more 

 abundant for a few days in others. Near Springfield Mr. Allen regarded it 

 as a rather rare summer visitant, arriving from the lOth to the 15tli of May, 

 and also mentioned it as probably breeding. A number have been taken in 

 Lvnn bv Mr. Welch, but none have been observed to remain more than 

 a day or two. Mr. Maynard once met with it on the 1st of June, 1869, in 

 a s\vampy thicket. It was very shy, and he heard no note. 



This species was ol)served by Mr. Paine, at liandolph, Vt., where it was 

 found to be a not uncommon, though very retiring and shy species. It 

 was found frequenting shady thickets, on the borders of the mountain 

 streams, and seveml of its nests were procured. The bird was thoroughly 

 identified, specimens of the parents having been sent to Professor Baird for 

 verification. Mr. Paine was not able to ol)tain much insight into the man- 

 ners and habits of this species, on account of its shyness. The nests were 

 always placed in low alder-bushes, near running streams, and not more than 

 three or four feet from the Cfround. 



Mr. Paine has since informed me that Traill's Flycatcher reaches Central 

 Vermont from the 2()th to the 25th of May, and is one of the last birds to 

 arrive, coming in company with Contopvs virens and G. horcalis. They all 

 leave l)efore the close of September. Mr. Paine has met with a great many 

 nests of this species, but has only found one containing more than three 

 eggs. It has a very simple song, consisting of but two notes. It has also a 

 sort of twitter as it plays with its mate. They are usually found in thickets, 

 for tlie most part near water, but not always, and are never seen in tall 

 woods. They are occasionally seen chasing one another in the open fields. 



Mr. William Brewster informs me that he found Traill's Flycatcher mod- 

 erately common and breeding at the foot of Mount Washington, in the Glen, 



