WOOD PEWEE. 
419 
WOOD PEWEE. 
CONTOPUS VIRENS. 
Char. Upper parts olive brown, darker on the head; lower parts 
whitish, with dull yellow tinge ; sides pale olive, extending across the 
breast ; tail and wings dusky ; wings with bars of whitish. Head with 
inconspicuous crest. Length 6 to 6 ) 4 . inches. 
rVc-rf. On branch of a tree; of twigs and grass, covered exteriorly 
with lichens and lined with moss. 
Eggs. 3-4; creamy white w’ith spots of brown and lilac wreathed 
about the larger end; 0.75 X 7.55. 
This species has much the appearance of the common Pewit 
Flycatcher, but differs essentially by its note and habits. The 
Wood Pewee appears generally to winter south of the United 
States, and scarcely arrives in Pennsylvania or New England 
before the middle of May ; its migrations, in all probability, 
extend to Canada. According to Audubon, many of them 
winter in the southern extremity of the United States, and Mr. 
Townsend and myself frequently saw them in the dark forests 
of the Oregon. It is a solitary species, frequenting gloomy 
forests and dark orchards, where, watching on some dead and 
projecting branch for its insect prey, it sweeps at intervals 
amidst the shade, and the occasional snapping of its bill an- 
nounces the success of its flight. It then again alights as 
before, sometimes uttering a sort of gratulatory low twitter, 
accompanied by a quivering of the wings and tail ; and in the 
lapse of its employment, in a feeble, sighing tone, often cries 
pee-wee or pee-e, and sometimes pe-wee pewittitce or pnvittee 
pl-wee. This note is continued often till quite late in the 
evening, at which time many of the insect brood and moths 
are abundant. Most of these birds, indeed, appear capable of 
collecting their food by the feeblest light, the only season when 
some of their favorite prey ever stir abroad. This species also 
appears particularly fond of small wild bees. From June to 
September, its solitary notes are heard in the field and forest ; 
after which time, preparing for its departure, and intently glean- 
ing food in every situation, it sometimes approaches the city. 
