352 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA. 



a small alder, overhanging a small stream; built of grasses, roots 

 and fibres. 



464. Western Plyoateher. 



Empidonax difficilis Baird 1858. 



This species was found abundant at Agassi^, B.C., in May, 1889; 

 a nest was taken that was placed on a rocky ledge in a cool 

 retired place not far from a farm house ; it was also common at 

 Port Heney and Hastings, Burrard Inlet ; taken at Chilliwack 

 and McGuire's ranch, B.C., June, 1901 ; first seen at Victoria^ 

 Vancouver Island, April 26th, 1893 ; soon after they became 

 common ; they were also abundant at Nanaimo, Comox, Sooke 

 and Stubbs Island, Barclay Sound. {Spreadborough.) Rather 

 common but shy and difficult to secure ; two males were taken at 

 Cumshewa Inlet, Queen Charlotte Islands. {Osgood.) A single 

 specimen taken by Dr. Bean on June 5th, 1880, at Sitka is 

 the only record of its capture in Alaska, but as others were 

 seen it is doubtless a summer resident. {Nelson.) Common 

 throughout the deep forests which border the streams near 

 Sitka, Alaska. A female was taken June 3bth, which contained 

 an egg ready to be laid. {Grinnell!) Common in the coast region 

 and more so in the interior; breeds. {Streator.) A common sum- 

 mer resident east and west of Coast Range. {Fannin.) Common 

 summer resident at Chilliwack. {Brooks.) Mr. Streator says that 

 this species while "common in the coast region is more so in the 

 interior." Not only is this disproved by the specimens taken by 

 him but by my own skins, all of which came from west of the Coast 

 Range. {Rhoads.) Common at the Grand Rapids of the Saskat- 

 chewan in the dead timber of the muskeg. Three specimens 

 secured. {Nutting.) Surely these specimens were yfez'w-'^w^m. 



MUSEUM SPECIMENS 



Twelve ; one taken at Agassiz, B.C.; one at Port Heney, B.C.; 

 three at Chilliwack, B.C.; and sev^en on Vancouver Island at Vic 

 toria, Nanaimo and Comox, all by Mr. Spreadborough. 



One set of four eggs taken at Agassiz, May 14th, 1889, by 

 Prof. Macoun. Nest placed on a ledge with rock overhanging it 

 built of mosses and lined with hair and feathers. 



