20 Coues on Nesting of Flycatchers in Missouri. 
we fully substantiated. Their nesting-place was about fifteen miles north- 
westerly from Herman, on the border of a small stream, nearly choked with 
grass, called the Mustinka River. They were discovered about the last 
of June, 1878, and frequent visits were paid, to them by the inhabitants of 
Herman, who considered it a nine-days wonder. A number of eggs had 
been taken, and the birds were otherwise greatly disturbed, so that this 
year they had deserted the locality. Although we spent a whole day in 
the search we were unable to find them. We saw several, however, at 
Brown’s Valley and on Lake Traverse, but we were unable to discover 
their nesting-place. 
79. G-raculus dilophus, ( Sw .) Gray. Double-crested Cormo- 
rant. — Seen several times in Grant County. Probably breeds in the 
timber at Elbow Lake. 
80. ? Larus delawarensis, Ord. Ring-billed Gull. — A single 
large Gull seen, supposed to be of this species. 
81. Larus franklini, Rich. Franklin’s Rosy Gull. — Common. 
This bird, in common with several others, has a habit of following the 
breaking-teams to pick up the insects and grubs turned up with the fresh 
soil. It is called by the farmers the Prairie Dove. 
82. Sterna forsteri, Nutt. Forster’s Tern. Abundant in both 
counties. The condition of the birds shot showed plainly that they were 
nesting, but we were unable to find the eggs. 
83. Hydrochelidon lariformis, (Linn.) Coues. Black Tern. — 
Abundant. 
84. Colymbus torquatus, Brunn. Loon. — Common. 
85. Podiceps cornutus, Lath. Horned Grebe. — Several Grebes 
seen in a pool near Herman appeared to be of this species. 
86. Podilymbus podiceps, (Linn.) Lawr. Pied-billed Grebe. — 
Common ; seemed to be just building, June 10. 
ON THE NESTING IN MISSOURI OF EMPIDONAX ACADI- 
CUS AND EMPIDONAX TRAILLI. 
BY DR. ELLIOTT COUES, U. S. A. 
Though we have heard of late a good deal about the nesting of 
our small Flycatchers, there is yet room for remarks ujjon the same 
subject ; for our standard works have, perhaps without exception, 
given a life so vigorous to certain errors, that numerous contribu- 
tions to this Bulletin from competent observers are no more than 
required to set the matter clearly forth. It is none too easy to tell 
