OF VIRGINIA 185 
HYPOTHETICAL. 
GENUS EMPIDONAX. 
[463]. Empidonax flaviventris (Baird). Yellow- 
bellied Flycatcher. 
Rayex.—Breeds in Canadian zone from northern 
Alberta, northern Manitoba, northern Quebec, and New- 
foundland south to North Dakota, northern Minnesota, 
northern Michigan, New Hampshire, northern New 
York, and mountains of Pennsylvania and Virginia; west 
in migration to the eastern border of the Plains, eastern 
Texas, and eastern Mexico; winters from southern 
Mexico and Guatemala to Panama; occasional in migra- 
tion in western Florida; accidental in Greenland. 
This is a bird of our mountain area, arriving in the 
vicinity of Blacksburg; Professor Smvth says, “about 
April 30th, and is last seen about September 23rd,” when 
it is a very common bird in that section. It builds its 
nest on low ledges, in the banks of streams, or other 
similar locations. Three to four eggs constitute a full 
set, the ground color a rich cream, specker and spotted 
with brown. Size, .66x.50. Only one brood a season. 
They prefer heavily wooded sections, and, unlike the 
Wood Pewee, which usually selects a limb overhanging 
the road, they prefer the depths of the forest. Their food 
consists of various species of beetles and bugs, while cater- 
pillars, spiders, ants, millers and moths are freely eaten 
by them. Like our other flycatchers, they are a most 
beneficial bird to the State. As yet it has not been found 
actually breeding in our area. 
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