BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 197 



streams or ponds, I have found in Pennsylvania only as a rare spring 

 and autumnal migrant. In the spring it arrives generally early in May ; 

 when returning to its winter resorts beyond the southern limits of the 

 United States, it is again seen, but only for a few days, about the twen- 

 tieth of September. In addition to insects, this species, it is stated, 

 feeds also on different kinds of berries. 



I have been informed that Traill's Flycatcher has been seen in the 

 mountainous parts of this state during the summer. Possibly it breeds 

 here. Its eggs, it is said, are hardly distinguishable from those of 

 acadicus, and the nest is not flat like that of the Acadian Flycatcher. 

 The note, of traillii, is described by Coues as "a flat kewink, Mwink, 

 slowly." 



Empidonax minimus BAIRD. 



Least Flycatcher. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Length about 5| inches ; extent about 8 ; above grayish-olive, darkest on head, 

 and much paler on rump and upper tail-coverts; middle of back decidedly oliva- 

 ceous ; ring about eye and few loral feathers white ; sides of head and neck ashy ; 

 lower parts whitish with yellowish toward base of tail ; wing bars white. 



Habitat. Eastern North America, south in winter to Central America. Breeds 

 from the northern states northward. 



The Least Flycatcher is a common summer resident in many parts of 

 Pennsylvania. During the last two years I have found this species to 

 be very numerous in different sections of Crawford, Erie, McKean, Cam- 

 bria and other counties in the summer time. This bird, I have noticed, 

 frequents the edges of woods, thickets and also gardens and orchards. 

 " Nest in upright crotch of tree, shrub or sapling ; small neat, compact- 

 walled, deeply cupped : eggs three to four, white, normally unmarked, 

 rarely speckled, .60 to .69 long, averaging .65 by .51. Note a sharp 

 che-bec\ or se-wick'."- -Coues. 



SUBORDER OSCINES. SONG BIRDS. 

 FAMILY ALAUDID-ffi. LAKES. 

 GENUS OTOCORIS BONAPARTE. 

 Otocoris alpestris (LiNN.). 



Horned Lark. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Length about 7^ inches ; extent about 14 ; bill and legs blackish ; eyes brown. 

 Upper parts grayish-brown and pinkish-brown ; this pinkish color is brightest on 

 nape, rump and lesser wing-coverts ; back much streaked with dusky. A streak 

 from bill runs back below eye and on sides of head, and pectoral patch, black. Fore- 



