SONGLESS BIRDS. Flycatchers 



In early May the Wood Pewee comes to the garden lane 

 and whispers of his presence with his plaintive little ditty, 

 and in the autumn the same lonely call is virtually the 

 only wood note left. In spite of his name, he is not exclu- 

 sively a wood-bird, but comes through the garden, follow- 

 ing shyly in the Phoebe's wake. But he only trusts his 

 precious nest to some mossy woodland limb, a trifle softened 

 by decay, where he blends his house with its foundations by 

 the skilful use of moss and lichens. 



Alert and swift of motion, he still wears an air of mystery, 

 and his pathetic note seems like the expression of a hidden 

 sorrow. Trowbridge's poem telling of his woodland search 

 for the Pewee is one of the most charming bird epics we 

 have, and the verse describing its plumage and song is the 

 bird's life history told in a few lines, — 



" I quit the search, and sat me down 

 Beside the brook, irresolute, 

 And watch a little bird in suit 

 Of sombre olive, solt and brown, 



Perched in the maple branches, mute ; 

 With greenish gold its vest was fringed, 

 Its tiny cap was ebon-tinged, 

 With ivory pale its wings were barred, 

 And its dark eyes were tender starred. 

 ' Dear bird,' I said , ' what is thy name ? ' 

 And thrice the mournful answer came, 

 So faint and far, and yet so near, — 

 * Pewee 1 pe-wee 1 peer I '" 



Yellow-bellied Flycatcher : Empidonax flaviventris. 



Length : 5.50 inches. 



Male and Female : Above a decided olive-green, which colour extends 



to the breast. Under parts pale yellow, including wing linings. 



Yellowish eye ring and two yellowish bars on wings. Lower 



mandible yellow ; feet black. 

 Note : " Kil-lic, kil-lic ! " Love note, " Pea-pe, we-yea ! " 

 Season : In migrations ; May and early September. 

 Breeds : From Massachusetts northward. 



187 



