FLYCATCHERS 
293 
SUBSPECIES. The races of Traill's Flycatcher have recently been revised. They 
now stand in the A.O.U. Check-list, as: Alder Flycatcher (le Moucherolle des aulnes) 
Empidonax trailli trailli, all the specific range except the far west; and the Little Flycatcher 
(le Moucherolle minule) Empidonax trailli brewsteri, southwestern British Columbia and 
southward. The systematic change may be justified, but ornithologists will have to be on 
their guard against the confusion that will be consequent upon this change in application 
of a familiar vernacular name. 
Economic Status. Similar to that of the other flycatchers. Its food 
is almost entirely insects, the species destroyed being mostly those fre- 
quenting waste land. 
467. Least Flycatcher, chebec. le moucherolle minime. Empidonax minimus. 
L, 5-41. The smallest of the little green flycatchers. General colour design of dusky 
olive and white like the Wood Pewee (Plate XLIV A), but very much smaller. 
Distinctions. Almost identical in colour with Traill's. Best separated from other 
little flycatchers by size, wing 2-60 inches or under, though the diagram (Figure 397) 
shows that other species may come within this measurement. Distinguished from Wright's 
by having the outer primary longer than the sixth (Figure 398b). 
Field Marks. A very small flycatcher of the usual dull olive coloration, with fairly 
conspicuous white eye-ring and throat. The greyish suffusion on underparts restricted. 
Best recognized by its characteristic call — a quick, explosive “Chebec-,” like a dry, hacking 
cough, sometimes repeated many times. Plabitat — woodlands, instead of shrubbery wastes. 
Nesting. In the crotch of a tree; nest of plant-down, fine wood fibres, rootlets, and 
long hairs. 
Distribution. Northern and eastern United States to South America. West in Canada 
to Alberta, north into Mackenzie. 
This is a bird of the orchard and the trees about the house, overgrown 
fence-lines, and other familiar localities where close proximity to cultiva- 
tion makes its services of noteworthy benefit. 
Economic Status. The food of the Least Flycatcher does not differ 
materially from that of the other members of the family, but the bird’s 
familiarity and confidence bring it close to man where its useful qualities 
have the maximum effect. 
468. Hammond’s Flycatcher, le moucherolle de hammond. Empidonax 
hammondi. L, 5-60. The duskiest and, except the Least, the smallest of the little green 
flycatchers. General colour design of dusky olive and white, like the Wood Pewee, but 
much smaller. 
Distinctions. Hammond’s Flycatcher is almost identical in colour with Wright's 
and averages a little smaller in length than that species and a little larger than the Least, 
the comparative wing measurement can be seen in Figure 397. It is greyish olive rather 
than clear olive. The throat and breast are suffused with more dusky clouding than any 
other similar species, and the throat is never clear white. Best separated from the Least 
by its slightly larger size, wing 2 -60 or over. From Wright’s, with which it is most likely 
to be confused in British Columbia, by having the first primary longer than the sixth 
(Figure 398b). There is a yellowish phase of this species, and of Wright’s also, in which 
the yellowness of the underparts approaches that of the Yellow-bellied or \\ estern Fly- 
catchers. 
Fiehl Marks. A very small, obscurely coloured flycatcher, with dingy, dull breast 
and throat. In the mountains, in summer, Hammond's Flycatcher is the Empidonax 
representative at 3,000 feet elevation, and above; Wright’s and Traill’s occupy the lower 
levels. In migration this distribution may not hold. The note is a brisk “Sewick” or 
“ Switch oo” quite different from the hacking “Chebec” of the Least, or the longer 
“We’re-here” of Traill’s. It is difficult to separate from Wright’s even by voice. 
Nesting. Nest of fir twigs, grasses, and moss, lined with fine grasses and vegetable 
down, on horizontal limb at a considerable height. 
Distribution. Western North America from southern Alaska to southern California. 
In Canada, east to the Rocky Mountains. It has been reported from Mackenzie River 
country and central Alberta, but its occurrence there is rather uncertain. 
