220 
SHORT-LEGGED PEWIT FLYCATCHER. 
After this, it betakes itself to the tallest and rankest weed of the open space, 
whether a narrow valley, or the environs of one of those small ponds so 
abundant in Labrador, and which in summer displays a most luxuriant growth 
of aquatic plants. The Common Pewee, on the contrary, which also breeds 
in that country, frequents rocks and the tallest fir trees. 
Whilst in Labrador, I examined several nests of the Short-legged Pewee, 
all of which were placed on low bushes, and almost as bulky as those of the 
Pipiry Flycatcher, or about double the size of that of our Common Pewee. 
They were all formed of a quantity of such dry mosses as are commonly 
found hanging from the stems of all low bushes in the vicinity of the places 
in which this species breeds, together with feathers of the Eider Duck and 
Willow Grouse. They were suspended between the forks of two twigs, and 
in this respect resembled the nests of the Orchard Oriole. The eggs varied 
from five to seven, measured six-eighths of an inch in length, four-eighths 
in breadth, and instead of being pure white, like those of the Pewee, were 
spotted nearly all over with minute brown specks on a light-bluish ground. 
On the 21st of July I saw the first young on wing, and as at that time they 
were fully fledged, I thought that even in that cold region, this species may 
perhaps bx-eed twice in the season. 
The migratory movements of this bird are very peculiar. I feel almost 
confident that none pass southward over our Atlantic districts, and it 
would appear that they must advance along the eastern base of the Rocky 
Mountains, as I have not heard of their having been found to the westward 
of that range. 
Tyrannula Richardsonii, Swainson’s Short-legged Pewit, Swains, and Rich. 
F. Bor. Amer., vol. ii. p. 146. 
Short-legged Pewee Flycatcher, Muscicapa Richardsonii , Aud. Orn. Biog., 
vol. v. p. 299. 
Second quill longest, third almost equal, first and fourth nearly equal ; 
tail slightly emarginate ; upper parts dark olivaceous brown ; the head 
darker, wings and tail blackish-brown, secondary coverts tipped with 
brownish-white, and secondary quills margined with the same ; outer edges 
of lateral tail-feathers pale brownish-grey ; fore part of neck, breast, and 
sides light dusky grey, tinged with olive ; abdomen pale dull yellow ; 
lower tail-coverts brownish-grey, margined with yellowish-white. 
Male, 6 t 9 2 , wing, 3J. 
Columbia river. Fur Countries. Labrador. Rare. Migratory. 
