OF THE HAMILTON ASSOCIATION. 203 



closely resembles. Mr. Saunders has found it near London, 

 and I have met with it now and then in the moist secluded 

 ravines by the shore of the Dundas Marsh, but it is by no 

 means common. 



In former years, confusion existed in the minds of different 

 authors regarding the history and distribution of the small 

 Flycatchers, and in my list, published in 1866, the Acadian 

 Flycatcher is included as a rare summer resident near Hamilton. 

 Since that time I have had it frequently reported as occurring 

 at different points in the province, but I have been compelled 

 to reject all of these records as incorrect, and to conclude that it 

 is very doubtful if the Acadian Flycatcher ever enters Ontario. 



182. EMPIDONAX MINIMUS Baird. 467. 



Least Flycatcher. 



Colors almost exactly as in Traillii ; usually, however, olive-gray rather 

 than olive-brown ; the wing- markings, eye-ring and loral feathers plain 

 grayish-white ; the whole anterior parts often with a slight ashy cast ; under 

 mandible ordinarily dusky ; feet black. It is a smaller bird than Traillii, 

 and not so stoutly built ;— the wing-tip projects only about J an inch beyond 

 the secondaries ; the 5th quill is but a little shorter than the 4th, the ist apt 

 to be nearer the 6th than 5th ; the feet are differently proportioned, being 

 much as in acadicus ; the bill is obviously under ^ inch long. Length, 5-5-25 ; 

 wing, 2-60 or less ; tail, about 2-25. 



Hab. Eastern North America, south in winter to Central America. 

 Breeds from the Northern States northward. 



Nest, in the fork of a sapling or tree ; composed of vegetable fibre and 

 wilted weeds, with a compact lining of plant down, horse hair and fine grass. 



Eggs, 3 to 4 ; usually pure white, occasionally a set or part of a set are 

 found dotted with dusky. 



The Least Flycatcher is very common throughout Ontario, 

 and is mentioned among the birds found by Prof. Macoun in 

 the Northwest Territory. It arrives near Hamilton about the 

 end of the first week in May, soon after which its short, sharp 

 call, " Chebec," is heard by the outer edge of the woods, and even 

 in the city orchards it takes its location and raises its family. 

 As soon as the young ones are able to fly the birds disperse 



