SMALL-HEADED FLYCATCHER. 
269 
these bats in the depth of winter, in very severe weather : 
they were lying on the projecting shelves of the rocks, and, 
when the brand of fire was held near them, wrinkled up their 
mouths, shewing their teeth ; when held in the hand for a 
short time, they became active, and, after being carried into 
a stove room, flew about as lively as ever. 
SMALL-HEADED FLYCATCHER — MUSCICAPA MINUTA, 
Plate L. Fig. 5. 
SYLVICOLA? MINUTA.— Jardine. 
Sylvia minuta, Eonap. Synop. p. 86. 
This very rare species is the only one I have met with, and 
is reduced to half its size, to correspond with the rest of the 
figures on the same plate. It was shot on the 24th of April, 
in an orchard, and was remarkably active, running, climbing, 
and darting about among the opening buds and blossoms with 
extraordinary agility. From what quarter of the United States 
or of North America it is a wanderer, I am unable to determine, 
having never before met with an individual of the species. 
Its notes and manner of breeding are also alike unknown to me. 
This was a male : it measured five inches long, and eight and a 
quarter in extent ; the upper parts were dull yellow olive ; the 
wings, dusky brown, edged with lighter ; the greater and lesser 
coverts, tipt with white ; the lower parts, dirty white, stained 
with dull yellow, particularly on the upper parts of the breast ; 
the tail, dusky brown, the two exterior feathers marked, like 
those of many others, with a spot of white on the inner vanes ; 
head, remarkably small ; bill, broad at the base, furnished with 
bristles, and notched near the tip ; legs, dark brown ; feet, 
yellowish ; eye, dark hazel. 
Since writing the above, I have shot several individuals of 
this species in various quarters of New Jersey, particularly in 
swamps. They all appear to be nearly alike in plumage. 
Having found them there in June, there is no doubt of their 
breeding in that state, and, probably, in such situations far to 
