mountain woods of the Ozarks and southern Alleghanies, in the gloomy forests on the 

 banks of the Chattahoochee and Suwanee, I always heard the Wood Pewec's sorrowful 

 strain. In the dense shade trees and apple orchards of Milwaukee the odd and pleasant 

 notes of this Fh'catcher are familiar to all who are accustomed to listen to the song of 

 birds. Its voice is one of the most characteristic and unique that we can hear in the 

 realms of Nature, and once heard it is always remembered. 



In the above described grounds, opposite my house, the Wood Pcwee is a regular 

 summer sojourner. Its notes have been heard duiing five successive seasons. In this 

 part of Wisconsin it rarely arrives before May 20, and in south-western Missouri not 

 before May 15. In Lee County, Texas, it usually appears during the last week. of April. 

 This late arrival is a sure sign that warm weather will follow, and it also shows that 

 the Wood Pewee is one of our most delicate birds. When in early September the Virginia 

 creeper and the sugar maple begin to assume their bright autumn hues, this Flj-catcher 

 leaves Wisconsin for the South, and after October 1 I have seen none in Texas. It 

 winters in southern Mexico, Guatemala, and other parts of Central America. 



Its breeding range is a large one, extending from Texas, and probably from Florida, 

 northward to southern Canada, and from the Atlantic to the great central Plains. It 

 takes up its abode preferabl}' in gloomy forests, but it is also found in more open woods, 

 in old apple orchards and shade trees near houses, even in large cities. Woodlands 

 covered with a dense undergrowth of bushes and small trees are avoided. The bird is 

 of solitary habits, and is usually seen on some dry projecting bough in the deep shadow 

 of overhanging branches. Its perch is usually twenty to thirt3' feet from the ground, 

 but in orchards it sits much lower.' The semi-darkness of the woods it is particularly 

 fond of It is constanth' on the alert for flj'ing insects, and we see it frequently sweep 

 at intervals amidst the shade, and hear the occasional snapping or clicking of the bill, 

 which announces the success of its flight. Though it is often on the wing, flying in 

 zigzag lines up and down, to and fro, it is not easily observed in the gloom of the 

 forest, and when it returns to its perch, its sombre and plain color fully protects it 

 from view. The plaintive pe-ay, pe-u-ee, which is constantly heard from early morning 

 till late in the evening, soon betrays its whereabouts, however, and the close observer 

 has not much trouble in studying its habits. I have heard the notes in the darkest 

 woods, as well as in orchards very early in the morning and late in the evening, when it 

 was quite dark. This shows that the Wood Pewee is capable of capturing insects in the 

 feeblest light. In the dimness of the morning and evening hours and in the gloom of the 

 forest many insects, especially all kinds of moths, its favorite food, are very abundant. 

 Its eye is sharp and glaring, perceiving the smallest insect at a considerable distance, and 

 its motions in the air are exceedingly dexterous. While watching for its insect prey, its 

 eyes appear almost as wild as those of the rapacious birds. It only seizes flying insects. 

 I quote the following interesting notes from the writings of Mr. Thomas Nuttall : 



"The Pewee is a very expert and cautious Flycatcher, and, as if aware of the 

 drowsiness of insects in the absence of the sun's broad light, he is on the alert at day- 

 dawn after his prey. At this early period, and often in the dusk of evening, for the 

 most part of summer till the middle of August, he serenades the neighborhood of his 

 mansion from three to four or five o'clock in the moniihg, with an almost uninterrupted 



