TRAILL'S FLYCATCHER. 359 



on the borders of woodlands, in orchards and gardens, and in the parks. In that 

 locality it arrives usually in the first week of May, and is easily observed, as it is 

 not at all timid and retired in its habits, like its congener, the Acadian Flycatcher. 

 Very similar to the latter in coloration, there is a great difference betw^een the two 

 species in the call-notes and nesting habits. The notes of Traill's Flycatcher are very 

 characteristic, but difficult to describe. According to Mr. Widmann they sound like 

 wit-tit-che, wit-ti-go, and are uttered when the bird is perched in the top of a shrub 

 or low tree, on a telegraph post or on a fence stake. It is such a loud and conspicuous 

 sound that it can be heard at a distance of a quarter of a mile. At present this Fly- 

 catcher is one of the most abundant birds in the parks of St. Louis. In Ohio it breeds 

 in large numbers in the elder thickets fringing creeks and streams. It has also been 

 found nesting in sumach bushes. 



The nest is alw^ays placed in an upright crotch of a bush or tree, usually from four 

 to ten and often twenty to twenty-five feet firom the ground. Nests found by myself in 

 Wisconsin agree in size and shape with those found by Mr. Widmann in St. Louis. All 

 were placed in upright crotches formed by several twigs springing up fi-om the main 

 stem, and all are compactly built, thick-walled, and deeply cujDped structures, let firmly 

 down into the crotch, the twigs either grooving the walls or imbedded in the sub- 

 stance of the nest. The outside diameter is about 3.00 inches, depth also about 3.00 

 inches. The cavity is about 2.00 inches in diameter, and from 1.50 to 2.00 inches deep. 

 The opening is often a little contracted, so that it is well-nigh impossible that the eggs 

 can roll out. A nest found in this vicinity June 20 was built in a shrub about six feet 

 above the ground, near the border of the woods. It is very similar to the domicile of 

 the Redstart, but it is larger and more deeply cupped. Being mainly built of silvery- 

 gray fibers of asclepias, a few slender grasses and horse hair also enter into the com- 

 position. The lining consists of soft bark-strips, fine grasses, and a few horse hairs. 

 Nests found in St. Louis are of the same shape, but constructed of coarser material, 

 consisting of slender grasses, rootlets, hemp-like fibers, bits of twine, feathers, etc., the 

 lining being made of fine grasses and bark-strips. The walls are always thick and 

 compact, the brim is firm, and the lining smooth. 



The eggs, usually four in number, show a creamy-white or buff ground-color. They 

 are marked, chiefly at the larger end, with spots of reddish-brown. Some of the eggs 

 are often so slightly marked that they appear almost immaculate. The difference 

 between these eggs and those of the Green-crested Flycatcher is so slight that no one 

 can distinguish them with certainty. Wherever found Traill's Flycatcher is more 

 abundant than is generally supposed, but only the close observer,! who is familiar with 

 its call-note, can easily find the bird. Its food consists almost exclusively of flying 

 insects. Late in August and early in September these Flycatchers leave for the South. 



The Alder Flycatcher, Empidonax traillii alnorum Brewster, inhabits eastern 

 North America, from New England westward at least to northern Michigan, etc., breed- 

 ing from the southern edge of the Canadian Fauna northward. Its favorite haunts 

 appear to be alder thickets near water. 

 NAMES: Traill's Flycatcher, "Widmaim's Flycatcher." 



