SMALL-HEADED FLYCATCHER. 
163 
three exterior feathers, marked near the tip with white ; 
wings, deep dusky, edged with olive, and crossed with 
two bars of white; primaries also tipt, and three 
secondaries next the body edged, with white; upper 
mandible, dusky brown ; lower, as well as the chin and 
breast, dull yellow ; belly and vent, white ; legs, dusky 
brown ; feet and claws, yellow ; a pale yellow ring 
surrounds the eye. The males of these birds often 
warble out some low, but very sweet notes, while search- 
ing among the leaves in autumn. 
131. SYLVIA MINUTA , BONAPARTE. MUSCICAPA MINUTA, WILS. 
SMALL-HEADED FLYCATCHER. 
WILSON, PLATE L. FIG. Y. 
This very rare species is the only one I have met 
with. 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 indi- 
viduals 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. 
