152 



Economic Status. Similar to that of the other Flycatchers. Its 

 food is almost entirely insects, the species destroyed being mostly those 

 frequenting waste land. 



467. Least Flycatcher. CHEBEC. FR. LE PETIT MOUCHEROLLE. Empidonax 

 minimus. L, 5-41. The smallest of our Flycatchers. In general coloration of the 

 Phoebe-like flycatcher type and almost indistinguishable from the Acadian and Traill's. 



Distinctions. Browner on back and without the distinct green suggestion of the 

 Acadian, but almost identical with Traill's in colour, from which it can sometimes only 

 be separated by size. Its habitat in woodland localities instead of shrubby wastes offers 

 a suggestion as to its identity and its call note is different from that of any other species. 

 This call is a quick explosive che-bec, sometimes repeated several times, with a not distant 

 resemblance to a series of hacking coughs. 



Nesting, Usually in a crotch 15 to 30 feet from the ground; in nest of plant-down, 

 fine wood fibres, rootlets, and long hairs. 



Distribution. Throughout Canada west to the mountains and north beyond cul- 

 tivation. Breeds in Canada wherever found. 



This is a bird of the orchard and the trees about the house, overgrown 

 fence-lines, and other familiar localities where close proximity to cultiva- 

 tion makes its services of noteworthy benefit. 



Economic Status. The food of the Least Flycatcher does not differ 

 materially from that of the other members of the family, but its familiarity 

 and confidence bring it close to man where its useful qualities have the 

 maximum influence. 



SUBORDER OSCINES. SONG BIRDS. 



The suborder Oscines is a large division of birds, placed at the head of 

 the list as exhibiting the highest development of the class Aves. It includes 

 a great number of families and species, the exact relationships of many 

 of which have never been satisfactorily defined. According to present 

 American usage the suborder begins with the Larks and ends with the 

 Thrushes which are regarded as constituting the most highly developed 

 family. The characters differentiating the Oscines from the Clamatores 

 are technical and anatomical and beyond the scope of a popular consider- 

 ation of the subject. As might be gathered by the name the high develop- 

 ment of the vocal organs and muscles attached are important points in 

 the classification. The members are more easily recognized from family 

 descriptions than under this more general heading. 



FAMILY ALAUDID^J. LARKS. 



The Larks comprise a large family of wide distribution. The sys- 

 tematic distinctions that characterize the family are rather technical, 

 and as there is only one species in Canada to consider, they will be 

 described under the species on the next pages. 



474. Horned Lark. SHORE LARK. FR. L'ALOUETTE ORDINAIRE. Otocoris cdpestris 

 L, 7-75. Plate XXIII B. 



Distinctions. The long hind toe nail (Figure 44b, p. 25), is one of the distinctive 

 marks of the Larks. However, this is shared with the Titlark (Figure 60, p. 27), and 

 the Longspur ; the latter, however, is a sparrow having the typical conical sparrow bill, 

 very different from that of the Larks. The yellow throat, with black gorget below, and 

 the erect-like horns or crest tufts, are distinctive of the Horned Lark (Figure 44a, p. 25). 



Field Marks. The colour marks above and the horns make easily recognizable field 

 marks. 



