58 C H. Merrlam — Birds of Connecticut. 



124. ContopUS virens (Linne) Cabanis. Wood Pewee. 



A common summer resident, generally placing its l)eautifnl lichen- 

 covered nest astride the horizontal branch of some tall birch, or maple, 

 in deep forests, but sometimes choosing an orchard or garden, in close 

 proximity to occupied buildings. Arrives before the middle of May 

 (May 10, 1876, Osborne), remaining through September. It is one of 

 the few birds that may be found alike, during the breeding season, in 

 the heart of the city, near the farm house, and in the darkest swamps 

 and most secluded forests, far from the habitations of man. Its 

 mournful note may sometimes be heard at all hours of the night. 



1 25. Empidonax AcadicUS (Gmelin) Baird. Acadian Flycatcher ; Small 

 Green-crested Flycatcher. 



A rare summer visitant from the Middle States ; may breed in the 

 Connecticut Valley. 



It affords me great pleasure to be able, thi'ough the kindness of 

 Mr. Erwin I. Shores, to replace this species among the birds of New 

 England. As is well known, it was formerly included in all New 

 England lists, but, as shown by Dr. Coues, Mr, H. W. Henshaw, and 

 others, the records were founded on erroneous identifications — the 

 bird liaving been mistaken for E. ?ninimus or Traillii, generally the 

 former. In a letter to Dr. Coues, Dr. Brewer says " I do not think 

 the bird occurs in New England, even in the Connecticut Valley,"* 

 and Mr. William Brewster, of Cambridge, the highest authority on 

 the Birds of New England, has expressed similar views. Hence it 

 was with a peculiar sense of gratification that I received, a few days 

 since, an unmistakable example of this species, from Mr. Shores, who 

 states that he shot it " in Suffield, Conn., June 24th, 1874, in a piece 

 of woods known as Beech Swamp." For the benefit of those who 

 might not feel disposed to accept my identification in so important a 

 matter, and to avoid all possibility of mistake, I at once sent the bird 

 to my friend Mr. Robert llidgway, of the Smithsonian Institution, 

 and he ])ronounces it to be a " ty])ical M Acadicus.''^ 



126. Empidonax Traillii (Audubon) Baird. Traill's Flycatcher. 



A connnon sunniier i-esident, arriving early in May (May 0, 1877). 

 Frequents swam])y lowlands, where it breeds. 



* Birds of the Northwest, p. 25 1 . 1 814. 



