Empidonax traillii alnorum. 
The Nest and Eggs of Traill’s Flycatcher, as observed in 
Maine. —The structure of the nest, its situation, and the eggs of this 
species (Empidonax traillii), as found in the above-named State, are all 
quite different from Mr. H. W. Henshaw’s description of them, as given 
in the first number of this “ Bulletin.” The nest is built between the 
upright shoots of low bushes, from one to five feet from the ground, and 
is loosely constructed of grasses throughout, including the lining. It is a 
much less compact nest even than that of the Indigo Bird, though perhaps 
smaller m the average. The eggs are of a pale creamy white, with red¬ 
dish-brown dots, spots, or blotches of two shades, disposed chiefly about 
the larger end. This brief account is based on specimens obtained about 
Lake Umbagog, Upton, and at Bethel, Maine, by Messrs. William Brewster 
and H. B. Bailey, and at Gorham, N. H., by Messrs. George Welch and 
Duxbury Moon. I have lately seen nests and eggs of both E. acadicus 
and E. traillii collected at Columbus, Ohio, by Dr. J. M. Wheaton. Sin¬ 
gularly enough, that of the former (E. acadicus) bears a close resemblance 
in its structure to that of Maine specimens of Traill’s Flycatcher, while 
the compact felted character of the latter (E. traillii) is entirely unlike any 
nest Of this species from the Canadian fauna. The eggs of the Ohio nests 
are in each case of a decided buff color as compared with Northern ones. 
In this connection I would ask if it has been observed whether the 
ground color and markings of the eggs of species breeding in northern 
latitudes are of a lighter tint than those of the same kind laid in austral 
limits, —that is, does intensity of color hold good in eggs as it does in 
plumage ? — H. A. Purdie. ■“UiL N. O, O. I, Sept, 1876. p, 7 y. 76 . 
