tamed, in the lining, a soft feather from the Great Horned Owl; two, feathers from the breast of the 
builder. One was very neatly covered at the bottom of the cavity with white plant-down ; one was lined 
almost entirely with black horse-hair ; and five contained a considerable quantity of grape-vine bark ; the 
remainder were lined with grasses alone. The diameter of the cavity is pretty uniform, averaging about 
two inches. The measurements of fourteen nests are as follows : least external diameter, two and three- 
fourths inches; greatest external diameter, three and one-half inches; least external depth, two inches; 
greatest external depth, four inches; least diameter of cavity, one and seven-eighths inches; greatest 
diameter of cavity, two and one-eighth inches; least depth of cavity, one and three-eighths inches; greatest 
depth of cavity, two and one-half inches. An average specimen measures about three inches external 
diameter, by two and three-fourths inches in depth ; the cavity measuring two inches in diameter, by one 
and one-half inches in depth. 
EGGS: 
The complement of eggs is generally three. Mr. Oliver Davie, of Columbus, Ohio, found two sets 
of four eggs each out of eleven nests collected in 1881. Much oftener but two eggs are laid. The ground- 
color of the shell is a delicate buff or creamy tint when blown. The markings consist of large blotches, 
spots, and speckles, of various shades of chocolate-brown, varying from a light wash to almost black. 
The number of marks ordinarily varies from two or tlirge to fifteen or twenty. Some eggs have but a 
few blotches, light in tint, but of large area; some have but few minute speckles, almost black; others 
vary between these two extremes. The markings occur princpally about the basal half. Occasionally a 
plain egg is found. The greatest long-diameter is .74; the greatest short-diameter is .58; the least long- 
diameter is .66; the least short-diameter is .51, of over forty eggs. The largest specimen measures 
.72 x .58; the smallest, .66 x .53 ; an average, .70 x .54. 
DIFFERENTIAL POINTS: 
The nest of E. traillii has often been compared to that of the Summer Warbler, I), (estiva, and very 
aptly, for the similarity is great in certain instances. As a rule it can readily be distinguished by its 
larger size and different lining. The eggs resemble closely those of E. acadicas, and can not always 
be told with certainty. They are, however, a trifle smaller, and not exactly the same outline, being less 
pointed and broader for their length. 
REMARKS : 
Plate XXXV illustrates a nest of Traills’ Flycatcher, taken June 10th, 1881, by Dr. Wheaton, from 
an elder bush, in a low piece of land beside the Ohio Canal, a few miles from Columbus. It is in size, 
shape, materials, and position about an average specimen, save the bit of newspaper. The eggs figured 
represent the average and extremes in size, shape, and markings commonly seen. 
In June, 1874, Dr. Wheaton discovered near Columbus, in a piece of low land overgrown with elders, 
the first nest of this species recorded as occurring in Ohio. The next season numerous nests were found 
near the same place. The following is quoted from Dr. Wheaton’s State Report, now in press : “ In 
one locality, a swamp, in an extensive forest, about four miles east of the city, I found both species to- 
gether. Traills’ Flycatcher, frequenting the swamp, and, when disturbed, flying to the forest trees, while 
the notes of the Acadian Flycatcher were heard at but a short distance beyond. . . . Xo bird is 
more wary when its nest is approached, quitting it as soon as an intruder comes within a dozen yards. I 
have seldom been able to discover the female on her nest, but, when disturbed, she retires to a safe dis- 
tance, and utters a plaintive whit, expressive of her anxiety. During the breeding season the ordinary 
notes undergo some change, becoming a louder, deeper, lioyt-te-ar .” 
122 
