220 SHORT-LEGGED PEWIT FLYCATCHER. 



After this, it betakes itself to the tallest and rankest weed of the open space, 

 whether a narrow valley, or the environs of one of those small ponds so 

 abundant in Labrador, and which in summer display a most luxuriant growth 

 of aquatic plants. The Common Pewee, on the contrary, which also breeds 

 in that country, frequents rocks and the tallest fir trees. 



Whilst in Labrador, I examined several nests of the Short-legged Pewee, 

 all of which were placed on low bushes, and almost as bulky as those of the 

 Pipiry Flycatcher, or about double the size of that of our Common Pewee. 

 They were all formed of a quantity of such dry mosses as are commonly 

 found hanging from the stems of all low bushes in the vicinity of the places 

 in which this species breeds, together with feathers of the Eider Duck and 

 Willow Grous. They were suspended between the forks of two twigs, and 

 in this respect resembled the nests of the Orchard Oriole. The eggs varied 

 from five to seven, measured six-eighths of an inch in length, four-eighths in 

 breadth, and instead of being pure white, like those of the Pewee, were spot- 

 ted nearly all over with minute brown specks on a light bluish ground. On 

 the 21st of July I saw the first young on wing, and as at that time they were 

 fully fledged, I thought that even in that cold region, this species may per- 

 haps breed twice in the season. 



The migratory movements of this bird are very peculiar. I feel almost 

 confident that none pass southward over our Atlantic districts, and it would 

 appear that they must advance along the eastern base of the Rocky Moun- 

 tains, as I have not heard of their having been found to the westward of that 

 range. 



Tyrannula Richardsonii, Swainson's Short-legged Pewit, Swains, and Rich. F. Bor. 



Amer., vol. ii. p. 146. 

 Short-legged Pewee Flycatcher, Muscicapa Richardsonii, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. v. p. 



299. 



Second quill longest, third almost equal, first and fourth nearly equal; tail 

 slightly emarginate; upper parts dark olivaceous brown; the head darker, 

 wings and tail blackish-brown, secondary coverts tipped with brownish- 

 white, and secondary quills margined with the same; outer edges of lateral 

 tail-feathers pale brownish-grey; fore part of neck, breast, and sides light 

 dusky grey, tinged with olive; abdomen pale dull yellow; lower tail-coverts 

 brownish-grey, margined with yellowish-white. 



Male, 6 T 9 2, wing, 3 \. 



Columbia River. Fur Countries. Labrador. Rare. Migratory. 



