THE GREAT-CRESTED FLYCATCHER. 209 



the breast pale grey. Female duller; the upper parts tinged with brown; 

 the lower more dusky. 



Male, 8|, 14-|-. 



North America generally. Migratory. A few winter in the south of 

 Florida. 



The Cotton-wood. 



Popclus candicans, Willd., Sp. PL, vol. iv. p. 806. Pursh., Fl. Araer., vol. ii. p. 618. 

 Mich., Arbr. Forest, de l'Anier. Sept., vol. iii. pi. 13. — Dkecia octandria, Linn. — 

 Amentace^e, Juss. 



This species of Poplar is distinguished by its broadly cordate, acuminate, un- 

 equally and obtusely serrated venous leaves, hairy petioles, resinous buds, and 

 round twigs. The leaves are dark green above, whitish beneath. The resinous 

 substance with which the buds are covered has an agreeable smell. The bark is 

 smooth, of a greenish tint. 



THE GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER. 

 ■ Muscicapa ceinita, Linn. 



PLATE LVIL— Male. 



How often whilst gazing on the nest of a bird, admiring the beauty of its 

 structure, or wondering at the skill displayed in securing it from danger, 

 have I been led to question myself why there is often so much difference in 

 the conformation and materials of the nests of even the same species, in dif- 

 ferent latitudes or localities. How often, too, while admiring the bird itself, 

 have I in vain tried to discover the causes why more mental and corporeal 

 hardihood should have been granted to certain individuals, which although 

 small and seemingly more delicate than others, are wont to force their way, 

 and that an early season, quite across the whole extent of the United States; 

 while some, of greater bodily magnitude, equal powers of flight, and similar 

 courage, never reach so far, in fact merely enter our country or confine their 

 journeys to half the distance to which the others reach. The diminutive 

 Ruby-throated Humming-bird, the delicate Winter Wren, and many war- 

 blers, all birds of comparatively short flight, are seen to push their way from 

 the West India Islands, or the table-lands of Mexico and South America, 



Vol. I. 32 



