OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER. 177 



un.ler win.;; coverts, thirkly streaked witli olivaceous-slaty. Upper inancliMe, dark-hrown, under, yellow, darker at tip. 

 l-'eet. l>laek. 



Yo-um/ of the year in autumn. Similar to the a<lult but more strongly tinged with yellow below, the wing bars show 

 n tingini: "I' rufous and the under mandible is dark-brown. 



M-itl/iny.i. Are more oli\ne>ous above. The white of the wings is replaced by rufous. Under portions, inclined to 

 buff. Hill, dark-brown, yellow at base of bwer mandible. Sexes, similar in all stages. 



OBSERVATIONS. 



There is but little variation in plumage in specimens of the same age Readily known from all allied species by the 

 lame >i/.e and olivaceous markings lielow as well as by the greater proportionate length of wing. The descriptions of the 

 younger stages are from specimens in the cabinet of Mr. Win. Brewster. Distributed in summer from Massachusetts, north- 

 ward. \\imeis south of the I'nited States. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Avenge measurements of seven specimens from New England. Length, 7*02; stretch, 12-92; wing, 4-00; tail, 2-82: 

 bill. -(>0; tarsus -ft*. Longest specimen, 7'74; greatest extent of wing, 13-50; longest wing, 4'20; tail, 2'09; bill, -71; 

 tarsus, (>. Shortest specimen, 7'50; smallest extent of wing, 12-45; shortest wing, 3'80; tail, 2'74; bill, '65; tarsus, '60. 



DESCRimON OF NESTS AND EGGS. 



Netts, placed in trees, composed of sticks and weeds, lined with fine roots. Dimensions, external diameter, 4'00, inter- 

 nal, 2-0(1. Kxternal depth, 2'00, internal, I'OO. 



K/i/.t. three to four in number, oval in form, salmon colored, spotted and blotched with yellowish-brown, umber and 

 lilac. Dimensions from'75x-60 to'85x'65. 



HABITS. 



The last Flycatcher described was a member of the avi-fauna of the extreme southern 

 portion of the United States and now we will turn to one which inhabits the more north- 

 ern section of the Union. In many parts of Maine and New Hampshire, clearings are 

 made in the primitive woods by cutting away the smaller growth of timber, but the larger 

 trees are merely girdled. A belt of bark of greater or less width is removed completely 

 around the trunk, after which the trees soon die but are left standing until they decay. 

 These uiuantic spruces and hemlocks which have required centuries to come to maturity, 

 do not quickly succumb to the destroying elements but the bark soon falls away and the 

 exposed wood becomes whitened by the sun and air. They will last for years and portions 

 of forests thus treated are called deadnings, a suggestive name, for these leafless giants 

 stretching their withered and whitened limbs over the despoiled soil, strongly remind one 

 of tombstones in p cemetery. The Olive-sided Flycafchers, however, do not appear to 

 regard them in such a melancholy light, but look upon them as convenient roosting places 

 and whenever one of these clearings occur on the side of a mountain or other rising ground, 

 the loud whistling notes of these birds may be heard. If the deadnings be large, there 

 may be two pairs but usually there is only one, for, like the other members of this family, 

 the Olive-sided Flycatchers are very quarrelsome and will not permit any birds, much less 

 one of the same species, to settle very near them. 



The notes of these birds are very loud, fully equalling those of the Great Crested Fly- 

 catchers, if not exceeding them. The ordinary call slightly resembles the plaintive pe-wee 

 of the Wood Pewee, but is so much harsher and is given with so much emphasis that the 

 similarity is scarcely perceived upon hearing the cry, but comes as an after-thought. Be- 

 sides this comparatively gentle strain, the Olive-sided Flycatchers utter some loud whistles 

 when alarmed that may be heard at a great distance. 



BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 23 



