151 
Economic Status. The food of the Wood Pewee is quite similar to 
that of the other Flycatchers, but modified, of course, by its woodland 
habitat. As it is not retiring and frequents open groves and orchards 
freely, it is of direct benefit to the agriculturist. 
463. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. FR.—LE MOUCHEROLLE A VENTRE JAUNE. Em- 
pidonax flaviventris. L, 5-63. Similar to the Wood Pewee and the Phoebe in colour, 
but smaller than either and with the browns and olives of those species replaced by dis- 
tinct olive-green and the whites by dull sulphur-yellow. 
Distinctions. The distinctly yellow colour of the whole bird makes this the most 
easily recognized of the small Flycatchers. 
Field Marks. The yellow colour, especially on the throat, is the best sight mark. 
The notes te-pee-a are distinctive—three syllables, with accent on the middle one. Its 
pe-wick is something like the name call of the Phoebe, but the first syllable is not accented. 
Nesting. On ground; nest built of moss and lined with grasses. 
Distribution. From the Great Plains east and north to the edges of cultivation. 
Breeds in Canada along the northern boundary of its range, not in the lower Great Lakes 
region. 
Another woodland Flycatcher; but one that is less confined to large 
timber. Thickets bordering heavier woods seem to be its favourite locality. 
Economic Status. Food habits very similar to those of the other 
small Flycatchers. Its normal station on the edges of woods bordering 
cultivated land makes it of value to the agriculturist. 
465. Acadian Flycatcher. LITTLE GREEN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER. Empidonazx vires- 
cens. Li, 5-63. A small Flycatcher of about the same size as the Yellow-bellied, Traill’s, 
and LeastFlycatchers; smaller than the Wood Pewee; and much smaller than the Phoebe. 
In colour, like the Phoebe but distinctly olive-green above and more yellowish below. 
Wing-bars rather prominent. 
Distinctions. This species agrees so closely in size and coloration with Traill’s and 
the Least Flyeatchers as to make identification most difficult. It is not so yellow in 
colour as the Yellow-bellied, there being no pure yellow on it anywhere, but it is the yellow- 
est and greenest of the other small Flycatchers. It is very rare in Canada and new records 
should be accepted only on the authority of experts. 
Distribution. Eastern North America north to the borders of Canada along the 
western end of Jake Erie. 
466. Traill’s Flycatcher. ¥R.—LE MOUCHEROLLE DES AULNES. Empidonaz traillt. 
L, 6-09. A small Flycatcher, slightly larger than the Yellow-bellied or the Least and 
of almost identical coloration to the latter and the Acadian. 
Distinctions. The back is browner than in the Acadian and without its decided 
suggestion of green. From the Least, size is sometimes the only means of differentiation. 
_ Field Marks. Colour or size details are of little use in the field determination of 
this or the next species. Habitat and call notes are, however, reliable. Traill’s Fly- 
catcher is a bird of the aider, willow, or raspberry thickets, and overgrown marsh edges; 
the Least Flycatcher is a woodland bird; and though either may be occasionally found 
in other habitats the surroundings are usually a good guide to identification. The call 
notes, however, make recognition easy. ‘Traill’s are ee-zee-e-wp with stress on the second 
syllable and the Least utters quickly an explosive che-bec that is sometimes repeated 
several times. 
Nesting. Ina crotch of small growth near the ground; in nest of coarse grasses, plant- 
down, and fibres lined with grasses. 
Distribution. Traill’s Flycatcher as a species inhabits nearly all of North America. 
The eastern subspecies, the Alder Flycatcher, is found from the east coast of Canada 
west across the mountains. 
SUBSPECIES. Two subspecies of Traill’s Flycatcher occur in Canada. The 
eastern form, the Alder Flycatcher EL. ¢t. alnorum, is the only one that occurs within the 
area under consideration. The Western Alder Flycatcher £. t. frailli is a more southern 
and western form. 
