Traill's flycatcher. 377 



ieience is at onoe seen. Instead of comparing it with the strnctares of the Warbler, or 

 with those of the above species, we are at once reminded of the Vireos, though no one 

 familiar with the elegant basket-like structure of these weavers would think of mistak- 

 ing this for one of their masterpieces. The resemblance is but a superficial one, begin- 

 ning and ending with the manner the nest is disposed in a horizontal fork. 



" It is a slight structure made of iine grasses, interspersed more or less with the blos- 

 soms of trees, the whole disposed in a circular form, and fitted between two twigs ; a 

 firm support is derived from a binding of spiders' web, which are interwoven with the 

 sides of the nest, and then carried over the twigs on either side, encircling them with strong 

 bands. The entire base of the nest is without support, and so thin is the slight struc- 

 ture that the eggs might almost be seen from below. This nest was built in a small tree, 

 perhaps twenty feet from th« ground. In this repect the two species vary but little, 

 both preferring to select the lower branches of tree or shrub as the site of their domicile, 

 and only rarely departing from the rule. This last nest was taken near Washington, 

 by Mr. P. L. Jouy, who kindly placed it at my disposal. The contrast between these 

 two structures could indeed scarcely be greater, and those selected for description may, 

 I think, be taken as fair samples of the styles of nest architecture that obtain with the 

 two species, at least all of a considerable number I have seen, &om several localities, 

 correspond with the foregoing. 



" A word as to the eggs. After examination of several sets of either species, of which 

 the identity was unquestionable, I am certain that no decided differences of coloration 

 exist between them ; none at least that are constant and that can be made of use in the 

 exact discrimination of the two. Dr. T. M. Brewer, in speaking of the eggs of E. irailUi, 

 describes them as possessing a ' white ground color with distinct roseate tinge,' and 

 marked with large and well defined blotches of purplish-brown, while in his description 

 of acadicus, he says in distinction, the eggs resemble more those of the Contopi, and are 

 ' of a rich cream color with reddish-brown shading, marked at larger end with scattered 

 and vivid blotches of red and reddish-brown.' The truth is, however, that the shade 

 of the ground color of either species is extremely variable, not being alike in any two 

 sets I have examined. The eggs of Traill's Flycatcher are frequently found to be a very 

 decided cream color, approaching buff, while those of the Acadian, if anything, are more 

 bufiy, but will now and then be found to be fully as pale as some of the Traill's. The 

 markings, too, are subject to considerable variation as to precise shade, number and 

 size. 



" On this point Dr. Wheaton remarks, that while he can discover no specific difference 

 in the eggs of the two birds, he is of the opinion, that the eggs of acadicus average a lit- 

 tle longer and slenderer than those of TrailUi, and have perhaps a yellower bnff tinge. 



" With reference to the habits of these two species. Dr. Wheaton has always observed 

 a. very decided difference, especially in the localities chosen as homes, and considers ' the 

 locality as characteristic of the species as any of its other points.' He has always found 

 Traill's Flycatcher a lover of the low grounds, and especially fond of the willow clumps 

 along running streams, while of the Acadian he says : ' It is never fond in company 

 with, or in such localities as are frequented by the Traill's. In all cases it is found 

 in upland woodland, preferably, and I might almost say as far as my observation ex- 

 tends in beech woodland. I have never seen it even during the migration in other 

 places.' " 



To this deBcription I can add little except by way of qualification of 

 my own opinion. In one locality, a swamp in an extensive forest about 



