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THE OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER. 



MusciCAPA CooPERi, NuTTALL. Tyrannus borealis, Swains. 



PLATE CLXXIV. Male and Female. 



It is difficult, for me at least, to understand how we should now have 

 in the United States so many birds which, not more than twenty years 

 ago, were nowhere to be found in those countries. Of these new-comers 

 the Olive-sided Flycatcher is one, and one, too, whose size and song ren- 

 der it very conspicuous among its kindred. That birds should thus sud- 

 denly make their appearance, and at once diffuse themselves over almost 

 the whole of the country, is indeed a very curious fact ; and were similar 

 changes to take place in the other tribes of animals, and in other coun- 

 tries, the arrangements of systematic writers would have to undergo cor- 

 responding revolutions, a circumstance which would tend to add to the 

 confusion arising from the continual shiftings, combinations, disseverings, 

 abrasions of names, and alterations of method, which the interpreters of 

 nature are pleased to dignify with the name of science. 



The discovery of this species is due to my amiable and learned friend 

 NuTTALL, part of whose account of its habits I have pleasure in laying 

 before you. When, a few years ago, I rambled, as I do now, in quest of 

 knowledge, scarcely an individual could be found in the United States con- 

 versant with birds. At the present day there are several, with whom I 

 am personally acquainted, who have fully proved their zeal and activity, 

 by their discoveries and descriptions. It is enough for me to mention here 

 the well known names of Bonaparte, Nuttall, Coopek, Bachman, 

 Pickering, Oaks, and Townsend, whose labours demonstrate the rapid 

 advance of science in our country, and whose works will endure for ages. 

 On the 8th of August 1832, while walking out from Boston towards 

 the country seat of the Honourable Thomas H. Perkins, along with my 

 friend Nottall, we were suddenly saluted with the note of this bird. As 

 I had never seen it, I leaped over the fence beside us, and cautiously ap- 

 proached the tree on which a male was perched and singing. Desiring 

 my friend to go in search of a gun, I watched the motions of the devoted 

 bird. He returned with a large musket, a cow's horn filled with powder, 

 and a handful of shot nearly as large as peas ; but just as I commenced 



