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SHOUT-LEGGED PEWIT FLY CATCHER. 
Muscicapa Phcebe, Lath. 
PLATE LXL— Male. 
I found this species plentiful on the coast of Labrador, where, for awhile, 
I thought it so nearly allied to our Common Pewee Flycatcher, as almost to 
render me indifferent to its notes, movements, and nidification, all of which, 
however, I at length discovered to differ considerably, especially the latter. 
On this particular subject, on which I have already said so much, I may 
here repeat, that birds of the same species may in some localities form nests 
extremely different from those constructed by them in others. Indeed, ac- 
customed as I have been to this for a considerable number of years, I thought 
it in no way remarkable to find the nest of what I then considered as our 
Common Pewee placed in a bush, instead of being placed against a rock 
or under a shed, for I thought the difference less than that presented by 
the nidification of our Common Crow Blackbird, which in Louisiana deposits 
its eggs in the hollow of a tree, while in Pennsylvania and other districts, 
it constructs as regular a nest as our Turdus migratorius. It was not long, 
however, before I discovered material differences in the deportment, 
habits, and voice of this Flycatcher and the Pewee ; the larger size of the 
latterof which rendered me confident that I could not be mistaken, as I 
frequently saw both birds in' the course of my daily rambles. 
Although it is very difficult to distinguish preserved skins of our many 
plain-coloured Flycatchers, yet to one who has traversed the woods, and 
listened to their voices, there is little difficulty in recognising the sounds 
of any of them, for the cries of all are different, and may be known with 
certainty, however alike they may seem to one who has seldom heard them. 
The notes of the present species differ from those of the Common Pewee, 
being as it were hoarse or harsh. It never jerks up its tail, as is the common 
habit of that species, and in this respect differs from all our Flycatchers. 
Again, this Flycatcher, instead of standing on an eminence for an hour at a 
time, as the Pewee does, pouring forth its ditty, is continually in motion ; 
and never alights on rocks or the higher parts of trees, but keeps on low 
bushes at all times. Its flight too is different, for instead of launching up- 
ward after its prey, it flies low, proceeding immediately over the tops of the 
plants, from which it sweeps the insects before they are aware of the pre- 
sence or purpose of the little depredator that skippingly passes over them. 
