TYUANXID.E — Til V. FLYCATrilERS. 335 



Habits. Tlie common Groat-cref=itc(l Flyciitcher of eastern Xortli America 

 has a nincli more extLMided northern distribution tlum lias l)een ^'eiierally 

 given it by earlier writers. Wilson speaks of it only as a bird of Penn.syl- 

 vania. Audubon mentions tlieir occurring as far as Massachusetts, but as 

 confined to the mountains, and as entirely unknown farther eastward. Mr. 

 Nuttall refers to it as nearly unknown hi New England, and as never 

 a])pcaring near the coast. 



It is now known to be a regular though a somewhat rare summer resident, 

 at least as far to the northeast as St. Stei)hen, New Brunswick, latitude 45° 

 north, longitude ()7° west, and as far to the north in Vermont as llandolph, 

 and Hamilton in (,'anada, both in about latitude 44°. Mr. lioardman men- 

 tions it as a regular summer visitant, and as breeding near Calais. Pro- 

 fessor Verrill gives it as a rare sunnner visitant of Western Maine. Mr. 

 Mcll wraith states it to be a conunon summer resident of Hamilton, Canada 

 West, where it arrives about the 10th of May, after which its harsh cry 

 is heard in all parts of the woods. It winters in Central America and 

 Panama. 



In a letter dated June 17, 18G5, Mr. .C. S. Paine of Randol])h, Vt, in- 

 formed me that he had, within a few days, found a nest of this Flycatcher. 

 It was built in tiie hollow of a decayed apple-tree, in one of its limbs. The 

 nest was built up from the bottom of the cavity some eight inches, and con- 

 tained si.K eggs. Though not very abundant in that neighborhood, Mr. Paine 

 had 1)een aware, for several years, of the occurrence of this Flycatcher, but 

 had never before been able to ascertain its manner of nesting. He has 

 since informed me that these Flycatchers have continued to occur every 

 sunnner, as they always nuike their presence known by their harsh notes, 

 which may be heard to (|uite a distance, and he knows that the/ breed there 

 regularly every year, l^iey are shy, and do not come about the buildings, 

 but are generally seen in the woods and orchards. 



In Eastern Massachusetts they are not common, but scattisred pairs have 

 been met witli in Concord, Acton, Newton, Hingham, and in other places. 



Dr. Cones states that the Great-crested Flycatcher reaches AVashington 

 the third week in Ajn-il, and leaves the last of Septend)er. It is a conunon 

 sunnner resident, but is most numerous in the spring and autumn. It is 

 found on the edge of open woods, and betrays its presence by its peculiar 

 notes. In the western part of Massachusetts, ^Ir. Allen gives it as a rare 

 summer visitant, having been taken by him from May 15 to September 17, 

 and having been found breeding on Mount Tom by Mr. C. W. Pennett. 

 It is found abundantly in the Middle and Southern States as far south as 

 Florida and Te.xas, and occurs as far to the west as tug Missouri Ri^•er. 

 Dr. Woodhouse found it very abundant in Texas and in the Indian Terri- 

 tory, and Mr. Dresser obtained specimens at San Antonio in the month of 

 April. 



In speaking of the habits of this species, Wilson accuses it of being 



