FLYCATCHERS. 299 



seen only two or three in June or the latter part of May. 

 There is little to observe, other than their shyness, 

 their fondness for shrubbery and wet lands, their low 

 and characteristic note (approached only by one of the 

 Goldfinches which is rarely heard), and the occasional 

 flirting of their tail. Mr. Maynard's notes are very inter- 

 esting. He says: "On May 31, 1869, I shot the first 

 specimen I had ever seen living; the next day (June 1st) 

 I took eight of both sexes in a few hours! Between this 

 time and the 10th I took two or three more. I do not 

 dpubt that it has occurred in previous seasons, but, being 

 unaccustomed to its low note, — which is like the syllable 

 pea very plaintively and prolongedly given, — and its retir- 

 ing habits, I had not detected it before. The specimens 

 captured were all, with the exception of the first, — which 

 was shot on a tall oak, — taken in low, swampy thickets. 

 It keeps near the ground, is rather shy, and upon the ap- 

 pearance of the intruder instantly ceases its song." 



d. In his "Catalogue of the Birds of Coos Co., N. H., 

 and Oxford Co., Me., etc." Mr. Maynard says : " We found 

 it in dark swamps at Upton. Here, for the first time, I 

 detected this species with any other note than the low pea. 

 It was like the syllable kil-lic very gravely given, with a 

 long interval between each utterance. The song was even 

 less energetic than that of Traillii.^"^ While singing, the 

 birds were perched on low limbs. Both male and female used 

 this note." 



Dr. Brewer says that Mr. Boardman "has heard this 

 bird give forth quite a pleasing, though somewhat monot- 

 onous trill. This, according to Dr. Hoy, resembles pea- 

 wayhpeorwayk, several times repeated in a soft and not un- 

 pleasant call or song." 



l°* I do not know whether the saag- mus, and is somewhat harsher. There 

 note of Traill's Flycatcher, as described is perhaps thirty seconds interval be- 

 by this author, is one which I hare al- tween each he win'k." Mr. Brewster, 

 ready described, or one which I hare likewise, in speakinpf of the male, says : 

 never heard. I can hardly reconcile it " His song consisted of a single dissyl- 

 to my own observations. He says : labic strain, hewing, uttered in a harsh, 

 " This species has a most peculiar note peevish voice," etc. (Quoted by Dr. 

 like the syllables ietoin'A; this is not so Brewer.) 

 quickly given as the se wic'h of E. mini- 



