BIRDS OF 



the present species serves to distinguish it from the others, but 

 it is everywhere scarce and little known except to collectors. 



Near Hamilton I have noticed one or two every spring, 

 and sometimes also in the fall. During the summer it has not 

 been observed. 



It is only within the past five years that correct information 

 has been obtained regarding the nest and eggs of this species, 

 one of the first and best descriptions being given by Mr. 

 Purdie in the Nuttall Bulletin for October, 1878. The nest in 

 this case was placed among the roots of an upturned tree. 



All the nests I have seen described have been found in 

 Maine, but the species will no doubt yet be found breeding in 

 Ontario and elsewhere in the interior. 



181. EMPIDONAX PUSILLUS TRAILLII (Auo.). 466 a. 

 Traill's Flycatcher. 



Above olive-brown, lighter and duller brownish posteriorly, darker 

 anteriorly, owing to obviously dusky centres of the coronal feathers ; below 

 ne'arly as in acadicus, but darker, the olive-gray shading quite across the 

 breast ; wing-markings grayish-white with slight yellowish or tawny shade ; 

 under mandible pale ; upper mandible and feet black. Averaging a little 

 less than acadicus, 5^-6 ; wing, 2-2f , more rounded, its tip only reaching 

 about of an inch beyond the secondaries, formed by ad, 3d and 4th 

 quills as before, but 5th not so much shorter (hardly or not of an inch), the 

 first ranging between 5th and 6th ; tail, 2^ ; tarsus, | as before, but middle 

 toe and claw three-fifths, the feet thus differently proportioned owing to 

 length of the toes. 



HAB. Eastern North America, breeding from the Middle States 

 (Southern Illinois and Missouri) northward ; in winter south to Central 

 America. 



Nest, in an upright fork, firmly secured in its place with the stringy 

 fibres of bark, deeply cupped, composed chiefly of vegetable fibres, lined with 

 dry grass and thistle down. 



Eggs, 3 to 4 ; creamy- white, blotched, chiefly toward the larger end, 

 with reddish-brown. 



Traill's Flycatcher is not much know T n in Ontario, the 

 number of collectors being -few. By the ordinary observer, the 

 bird may readily be mistaken for others of its class which it 



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