62 



SMALL-HEADED FLYCATCHER. 

 MUSCICAPA MINUTA. 

 [Plate L.— Fig. 5.] 



THIS very rare species is the only one I have met with, and 

 is drawn reduced to half its size, to correspond with the rest of 

 the figures on the same plate. It was shot on the twenty -fourth of 

 April, in an orchard, and was remarkably active, running, climbing 

 and darting about among the opening buds and blossoms with ex- 

 traordinary agility. From what quarter of the United States or of 

 North America it is a wanderer, I am unable to determine, hav- 

 ing never before met with an individual of the species. Its notes 

 and manner of breeding are also alike unknown to me. This was 

 a male : it measured five inches long, and eight and a quarter in 

 extent; the upper parts were dull yellow olive; the wings dusky 

 brown edged with lighter; the greater and lesser coverts tipt with 

 white; the lower parts dirty white, stained with dull yellow, par- 

 ticularly on the upper parts of the breast; the tail dusky brown, 

 the two exterior feathers marked like those of many others with 

 a spot of white on the inner vanes ; head remarkably small ; bill 

 broad at the base, furnished with bristles, and notched near the 

 tip; legs dark brown; feet yellowish; eye dark hazel. 



Since writing the above I have shot several individuals of this 

 species in various quarters of New Jersey, particularly in swamps. 

 They all appear to be nearly alike in plumage. Having found 

 them there in June, there is no doubt of their breeding in that 

 state, aad probably in such situations far to the southward; for 

 many of the southern summer birds that rarely visit Pennsylva- 

 nia, are yet common to the swamps and pine woods of New Jer- 

 sey. Similarity of soil and situation, of plants and trees, and con- 



