232 THE WOOD PEWEE. 



ed, when it seems to seize several insects in succession, the more so perhaps 

 that it has no rival to contend with in such situations. ' Sometimes towards 

 autumn, it sweeps so closely over the pools that it is enabled to seize the in- 

 sects as they float on the water; while, at other times, and as if in surprise, 

 it rises to the tops of the forest trees, and snaps the insect which is just 

 launching forth on some extensive journey, with all the freedom of flight that 

 the bird itself possesses. • 



The weary traveller, who at this season wanders from his path in search 

 of water to quench his thirst, or to repose for awhile in the shade, is sure to 

 be saluted with the melancholy song of this little creature, which, perched 

 erect on a withered twig, its wings quivering as if it had been seized with a 

 momentary chill, pours forth its rather low, mellow notes with such sweet- 

 ness as is sure to engage the attention. Few other birds are near; and, 

 should the more musical song of a Wood-thrush come on his ear, he may 

 conceive himself in a retreat where no danger is likely to assail him during 

 his repose. 



This species, which is considerably more abundant than the M. fusca, is 

 rather late in entering the Middle States, seldom reaching Pennsylvania 

 until the 10th of May; yet it pushes its migrations quite beyond the limits 

 of the United States. On the one hand, many of them spend the winter 

 months in the most Southern States, such as Louisiana and the pine barrens 

 of Florida, feeding on different berries, as well as insects; while, on the 

 other, I have met with them in September, in the British province of New 

 Brunswick, and observed their retrograde movements through Maine and 

 Massachusetts. I have also seen them near Halifax, Nova Scotia, in La- 

 brador, and in Newfoundland. 



In autumn, when its notes are almost the only ones heard, it may often be 

 seen approaching the roads and pathways, or even flitting among the tall and 

 beautiful elms in the vicinity, or in the midst of our eastern cities. There 

 you may observe the old birds teaching the young how to procure their food. 

 The various groups, imperceptibly as it were, and in the most gradual man- 

 ner, now remove southward by day; and, at this season, their notes are heard 

 at a very late hour, as in early spring. They may be expressed by the syl- 

 lables jie-ivee, pettoivee, pe-ivee, prolonged like the last sighs of a despondent 

 lover, or rather like what you might imagine such sighs to be, it being, I 

 believe, rare actually to hear them. 



This species, in common with the Great Crested Flycatcher, and the Least 

 Wood Pewee, is possessed of a peculiarity of vision, which enables it to see 

 and pursue its prey with certainty, when it is so dark that you cannot per- 

 ceive the bird, and are rendered aware of its occupation only by means of 

 the clicking of its bill. 



