222 
SMALL GREEN CRESTED ELYCATCHER. 
Early in May, in our Middle Districts, the Small Green Crested Fly- 
catcher constructs its nest, which varies considerably in different parts of 
the country, being made warmer in the northern localities, where it breeds 
almost a month later. It is generally placed in the darkest shade of the 
woods, in the upright forks of some middle-sized tree, from eight to twenty 
feet above the ground, sometimes so low as to allow a man to look into it. 
In some instances I have found it on the large horizontal branches of an 
oak, when it looked like a knot. It is always neat and well-finished, the 
inside measuring about two inches in diameter, with a depth of an inch 
and a half. The exterior is composed of stripes of the inner bark of various 
trees, vine fibres and grasses, matted together with the down of plants, wool, 
and soft moss. The lining consists of fine grass, a few feathers, and horse 
hair. The whole is light, elastic, and firmly coherent, and is glued to the 
twigs or saddled on the branch with great care. The eggs are from four 
to six, small, and pure white. While the female is sitting, the male often 
emits a scolding chirr of defiance, and rarely wanders far from the nest, 
but relieves his mate at intervals. In the Middle States they often have 
two broods in the season, but in Maine or farther north only one. The 
young follow their parents in the most social manner; but before these 
birds leave us entirely, the old and the young form different parties, and 
travel in small groups towards warmer regions. 
I have thought that this species throws up pellets more frequently than 
most others. Its food consists of insects during spring and summer, such as 
moths, wild bees, butterflies, and a variety of smaller kinds; but in autumn 
it greedily devours berries and small grapes. Although not shy with 
respect to man, it takes particular notice of quadrupeds, following a minx 
or polecat to a considerable distance, with every manifestation of anger. 
The mutual affection of the male and female, and their solicitude respecting 
their eggs or young, are qjjite admirable. 
The flight of the Small Green Flycatcher is performed by short glidings, 
supported by protracted flaps of the wings, not unlike those of the 
Pewee Flycatcher ; and it is often seen, while passing low through the 
woods or following the margins of a creek, to drink in the manner of 
Swallows, or sweep after its prey, until it alights. Like the King-bird, it 
always migrates by day. 
Small Grekn Urested Flycatcher, Muscicapa querula, Wils. Am. Orn., vol.ii.p. 77. 
Small Pewee, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 288. 
Muscicapa acadica, Bonap. Syn., p. 68. 
Small Green Crested Flycatcher, Muscicapa acadica , Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. ii, 
p. 256 ; vol. v. p. 427 
