232 
THE WOOD PEWEE. 
ed, when it seems to seize several insects in succession, the more so per- 
haps that it has no rival to contend with in such situations. Sometimes, 
towards autumn, it sweeps so closely over the pools that it is enabled to 
seize the insects as they float on the water ; while, at other times, -and as 
if in surprise, it rises to the tops of the forest trees, and snaps the insect 
which is just launching forth on some extensive journey, with all the free- 
dom of flight that the bird itself possesses. 
The weary traveller, who at this season wanders from his path in search 
of water to v quench his thirst, or to repose for awhile in the shade, is sure to 
be saluted with the melancholy song of this little creature, which, perched 
erect on a withered twig, its wings quivering as if it had been seized with a 
momentary chill, pours forth its rather low, mellow notes with such sweet- 
ness as is sure to engage the attention. Few other birds are near ; and, 
should the more musical song of a Wood- thrush come on his ear, he may 
conceive himself in a retreat where no danger is likely to assail him during 
his repose. 
This species, which is considerably more abundant than the M.fusca , is 
rather late in entering the Middle States, seldom reaching Pennsylvania 
until the 10th of May ; *yet it pushes its migrations quite beyond the limits 
of the United States. On the one hand, many of them spend the winter 
months in the most Southern States, such as Louisiana and the pine barrens 
of Florida, feeding on different berries, as well as insects ; while, on the 
other, I have met with them in September, in the British province of New 
Brunswick, and observed their retrograde movements through Maine and 
Massachusetts. I have also seen them near Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 
Labrador, and in Newfoundland. 
In autumn, when its notes are almost the only ones heard, it may often be 
seen approaching the roads and pathways, or even flitting among the tall and 
beautiful elms in the vicinity, or in the midst of our eastern cities. There 
you may observe the old birds teaching the young how to procure their food. 
The various groups, imperceptibly as it were, and in the most gradual 
manner, now remove southward by day; and, at this season, their notes are 
heard at a very late hour, as in early spring. They may be expressed by 
the syllables pe-wee, pettowee, pe-ioee, prolonged like the last sighs of a 
despondent lover, or rather like what you might imagine such sighs to be, 
it being, I believe, rare actually to hear them. 
This species, in common with the Great Crested Flycatcher, and the 
Least Wood Pewee, is possessed of a peculiarity of vision, which enables 
it to see and pursue its prey with certainty, when it is so dark that you 
cannot perceive the bird, and are rendered aware of its occupation only 
by means of the clicking of its bill. 
