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SHORT-LEGGED PEWIT FLYCATCHER. 



Muscicapa Phcebe, Lath. 



PLATE LXL— Male. 



I found this species plentiful on the coast of Labrador, where, for awhile, 

 I thought it so nearly allied to our Common Pewee Flycatcher, as almost to 

 render me indifferent to its notes, movements, and nidification, all of which, 

 however, I at length discovered to differ considerably, especially the latter. 

 On this particular subject, on which I have already said so much, I may 

 here repeat, that birds of the same species may in some localities form nests 

 extremely different from those constructed by them in others. Indeed, 

 accustomed as I have been to this for a considerable number of years, I 

 thought it in no way remarkable to find the nest of what I then considered 

 as our Common Pewee placed in a bush, instead of being placed against a 

 rock or under a shed, for I thought the difference less than that presented 

 by the nidification of our Common Crow Blackbird, which in Louisiana 

 deposits its eggs in the hollow of a tree, while in Pennsylvania, and other 

 districts, it constructs as regular a nest as our Tardus migratorius. It was 

 not long, however, before I discovered material differences in the deport- 

 ment, habits, and voice of this Flycatcher and the Pewee; the larger size of 

 the latter of which rendered me confident that I could not be mistaken, as I 

 frequently saw both birds in the course of my daily rambles. 



Although it is very difficult to distinguish preserved skins of our many 

 plain-coloured Flycatchers, yet to one who has traversed the woods, and 

 listened to their voices, there is little difficulty in recognising the sounds of 

 any of them, for the cries of all are different, and may be known with cer- 

 tainty, however alike they may seem to one who has seldom heard them. 

 The notes of the present species differ from those of the Common Pewee, 

 being as it were hoarse or harsh. It never jerks up its tail, as is the common 

 habit of that species, and in this respect differs from all our Flycatchers. 

 Again, this Flycatcher, instead of standing on an eminence for an hour at a 

 time, as the Pewee does, pouring forth its ditty, is continually in motion; 

 and never alights on rocks or the higher parts of trees, but keeps on low 

 bushes at all times. Its flight too is different, for instead of launching up- 

 ward after its prey, it flies low, proceeding immediately over the tops of the 

 plants, from which it sweeps the insects before they are aware of the pre- 

 sence or purpose of the little depredator that skippingly passes over them. 



