370 NORTH AMERICAN BiflDS. 



mii^vation. Dr. "Wondliouso found it very common both in Texas and in 

 (lie Iiiilian Territoiy. Mr. J)res.ser found it common durinj,' the summer 

 season near San Antonio, and to tlie eastward, breeding tliere, and building a 

 small hanging nest. He also had its eggs sent to him from Systerdale. The 

 stomach of the specimen he procured c(.intained minute iiLsects. It is men- 

 tioned by J)r. E. Coues as found in South (,'arolina, but whether as a migrant 

 or as a resident is not stated. 1 )r. William 1'. Turnbull refers to it as rare near 

 riiila(k'l[iliia, and as only a spring and autumnal migrant. Mr. McIlwTaith 

 cites it as a rare summer visitant near Hamilton, Canada West. It is 

 mentioned by Mr. Boardnuui as found near Calais, but has not been recorded 

 as oeciurring in Nova Scotia, as far as I am aware. In Western Maine, I'ro- 

 fcssor ^'errill found it a regular but not a common summer visitant, arriving 

 tliere the third week in May. And Mr. Brewster found it breeding in con- 

 siderable abundance near Lake Umbagog in the summer of 1872. 



In ^lassachusetts it has been found to occur very irregularly, and so far 

 chieHy as a migrant, at least I am not aware that it has been known, ex- 

 cept in a single instance, to breed within the limits of that State. It passes 

 through the State about the middle of Alay, is rare some seasons, much more 

 alundaut for a few days in others. Near Siiringfield Mr. Allen regarded it 

 as a rather rare summer visitant, arriving from the lOth to the 15th of May, 

 ami also mentioned it as probably breeding. A number have been taken in 

 Lyini by Mr. Welch, but none have l)een observed to remain more than 

 a day or two. Mr. Maynard once met with it on the 1st of June, 18G9, in 

 a swampy thicket. It was very shy, and he heard no note. 



This species was observed by Mr. Taine, at liandolph, Vt., where it was 

 found to be a not uncommuu, though very retiring and shy species. It 

 was found frecjuenting shady thickets, on the borders of the mountain 

 streams, and several of its nests were procured. The bird was thoroughly 

 identified, specimens of the parents hav itig been sent to I'rofessor Baird for 

 verification. jMr. Paine was not able to ol)tain much insight into the man- 

 ners and habits of this species, on account of its shyness. The nests were 

 always jilaced in low alder-bushes, near running streams, and not more than 

 three or four feet from the ground. 



Mr. I'aine has since inlbrnied me that Traill's Flycatcher reaches Central 

 Vermont from the 20th to the 2r)th of May, and is one of the last l)irds to 

 arrive, coming in company with C'ontnpyn riiriis and C borculis. They all 

 leave before the close of Septeml)er. ^Ir. Paine has met with a great many 

 nests of this species, but has only found one containing more than three 

 eggs. It has a very simple song, consisting of but two notes. It has also a 

 sort of twitter as it plays with its mate. They are ustudly found in thickets, 

 for tlie most part near water, but not always, and are never seen in tall 

 woods. Tliey are occasionally seen chasing one another in the open fields. 



Mr. William Brewster intbrms me that he found Traill's Flycatcher mod- 

 erately common and breeding at the foot of Mount Washington, in the (Jlen, 



