252 
467, Least Flycatcher, chebec. Emjridonax minimus. L, 5-41. The smallest of 
the little green Flycatchers. Of general colour design of dusky-olive and white like the 
Wood Pewee (Plate XLII A), but very much smaller. 
Distinctions. Almost identical in colour with Traill’s. Best separated from other 
little Flycatchers by size, wing 2-60 inches or under, though the diagram (Figure 248) 
shows that other species may come within this measurement. Distinguished from Wright’s 
by having the outer primary longer than the sixth (Figure 249 b). 
Field Marks. A very small Flycatcher of the usual dull olive coloration, with fairly 
conspicuous white eye-ring, and throat. The greyish suffusion on underparts restricted. 
Best recognized by its characteristic call — a quick, explosive “ Che-bec ,” like a dry, hacking 
cough, sometimes repeated many times. Habitat — woodlands, instead of shrubbery 
wastes. 
Nesting. In the crotch of a tree; nest of plant down, fine wood fibres, rootlets, and 
long hairs. 
Distribution. Northern and eastern United States to South America. West in Canada 
to Alberta, north into Mackenzie. 
This is a bird of the orchard and the trees about the house, overgrown 
fence-lines, and other familiar localities where close proximity to cultiva- 
tion makes its services of noteworthy benefit. 
Economic Status. The food of the Least Flycatcher does not differ 
materially from that of the other members of the family, but the bird's 
familiarity and confidence bring it close to man where its useful qualities 
have the maximum influence. 
468. Hammond's Flycatcher. Emmdonax hammondi. L, 5-60. The duskiest 
and, except the Least, the smallest of the little green Flycatchers. General colour design 
of dusky-olive and white, like the Wood Pewee (Plate XLII A), but much smaller. 
Distinctions. Hammond’s Flycatcher is almost identical in colour with Wright’s 
and averages a little smaller in length than that species and a little larger than the Least, 
the comparative wing measurement can be seen in Figure 248. It is greyish olive rather 
than clear olive. The throat and breast are suffused with more dusky clouding than any 
other similar species, and the throat is never clear white. Best separated from the Least 
by its slightly larger size, wing 2 • 60 or over. From Wright’s, with which it is most likely to 
be confused in British Columbia, by having the first primary longer than the sixth (Figure 
249 b). There is a yellowish phase of thus species, and of Wright’s also, in which the 
yellowness of the underparts approaches that of the Yellow-bellied or Western Flycatchers. 
Field Marks. A very small, obscurely coloured Flycatcher, with dingy, dull breast 
and throat. In the mountains, in summer, Hammond’s Flycatcher is the Empidonax 
representative at 3,000 feet elevation, and above; Wright’s and Traill’s occupy the 
lower levels. In migration this distribution may not hold. The note is a brisk “Seurick” 
or H Suritch — oo” quite different from the hacking “ Chebec ” of the Least, or the longer 
“We're-here” of Traill’s. It is difficult to separate from Wright’s even by voice. 
Nesting. Nest of fir-twigs, grasses, and moss, lined with fine grasses and vegetable 
down, on horizontal limb at a considerable height. 
Distribution. Western North America from southern Alaska to southern California. 
In Canada, east to the Rocky mountains. It has been reported from Mackenzie 
River country and central Alberta, but its occurrence there is rather uncertain. 
Much as this obscure little bird resembles the Least Flycatcher, it is 
still more like Wright’s and the wing formula (Figure 249b) is the only certain 
distinction between them. In breeding season, it is a bird of the higher 
elevations, and not such a shade lover as the latter species. It will take the 
very closest observation and the collection of many specimens to establish 
the eastern boundaries of its range. 
469. Wright’s Flycatcher. Emvidonax wrighti. L, 6. A little larger in length 
than Hammond’s Flycatcher, and smaller than Traill’s. Of general colour design of dusky 
olive and white like the Wood Pewee (Plate XLII A), but smaller. 
Distinctions. Almost identical in colour with Hammond’s, but averaging a little longer, 
with less greyish over throat and breast and approaching the Least in this character, but 
very variable. Best separated from the other similar little green Flycatchers by the first 
