222 SMALL GREEN CRESTED FLYCATCHER. 



Early in May, in our Middle Districts, the Small Green Crested Fly- 

 catcher constructs its nest, which varies considerably in different parts of the 

 country, being made warmer in the northern localities, where it breeds 

 almost a month later. It is generally placed in the darkest shade of the 

 woods, in the upright forks of some middle-sized tree, from eight to twenty 

 feet above the ground, sometimes so low as to allow a man to look into it. 

 In some instances I have found it on the large horizontal branches of an oak, 

 when it looked like a knot. It is always neat and well-finished, the inside 

 measuring about two inches in diameter, with a depth of an inch and a half. 

 The exterior is composed of stripes of the inner bark of various trees, vine 

 fibres and grasses, matted together with the down of plants, wool, and soft 

 moss. The lining consists of fine grass, a few feathers, and horse hair. The 

 whole is light, elastic, and firmly coherent, and is glued to the twigs or 

 saddled on the branch with great care. The eggs are from four to six, small, 

 and pure white. While the female is sitting, the male often emits a scolding 

 chirr of defiance, and rarely wanders far from the nest, but relieves his mate 

 at intervals. In the Middle States they often have two broods in the season, 

 but in Maine or farther north only one. The young follow their parents in 

 the most social manner; but before these birds leave us entirely, the old and 

 the young form different parties, and travel in small groups towards warmer 

 regions. 



I have thought that this species throws up pellets more, frequently than 

 most others. Its food consists of insects during spring and summer, such as 

 moths, wild bees, butterflies, and a variety of smaller kinds; but in autumn 

 it greedily devours berries and small grapes. Although not shy with respect 

 to man, it takes particular notice of quadrupeds, following a minx or polecat 

 to a considerable distance, with every manifestation of anger. The mutual 

 affection of the male and female, and their solicitude respecting their eggs or 

 young, are quite admirable. 



The flight of the Small Green Flycatcher is performed by short glidings, 

 supported by protracted flaps of the wings, not unlike those of the Pewee 

 Flycatcher; and it is often seen, while passing low through the woods or fol- 

 lowing the margins of a creek, to drink in the manner of Swallows, or sweep 

 after its prey, until it alights. Like the King-bird, it always migrates by 

 day. 



Small Green Crested Flycatcher, Muscicapa querula, Wils. Araer. Om., vol. ii. p. 77. 

 Small Pewee, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 288. 

 Muscicapa acadica, Bonap. Syn., p. G8. 



Small Green Crested Flycatcher, Muscicapa acadica, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. ii. p. 256; 

 vol. v. p. 427. 



