bey Yake] 9 I9 
SEP OCT 
cher (1942) who found two nests in 27.67 acres of 
lified (residential) woodland. 
Nelson (1876-1877) considered the least flycatcher to 
Comon summer resident in northeastern Illinois. The 
breeding record for Chicago, according to Ford & 
nont (1949) was in 1904. Ford (1956) called the 
‘ies uncommon, and formerly more common. Nice 
miles ( 
Fig. 38. — (Above.) General distribution of the least flycatcher. The 
outlined range may include large sections in which populations of the 
species are thin or even absent because of the nature of the terrain and 
paucity of suitable habitat. 
Fig. 39. — (To left, graph starting on page 44.) Egg-laying and 
migration seasons of the least flycatcher in different areas of the state 
(see Fig. 1). Spring and fall graph lines (1967-1970) show highest daily 
counts of each 2 days (left scale). Asterisk symbols represent counts 
made in other years or by other observers. Shaded area shows span of 
dates during which egg laying has been recorded (north only). Dash line 
represents counts of unidentified Empidonax flycatchers; solid heavy 
line represents counts of identified least flycatchers. 
(1945) considered the species endangered in Illinois. 
Accurate population trends cannot be determined 
without more actual population measurements. 
Nesting Cycle 
Little has been published on the breeding biology of 
the least flycatcher in Illinois, and a thorough study of 
the species here at the southern edge of its range is 
definitely needed. 
The distinctive song, phrased “che-bec,” is heard in all 
regions of the state as soon as the bird arrives. The 
transients may sing only hesitantly, repeating the song 
only a few times, but the nesting birds in the north repeat 
the song quickly over and over again. 
The time requirement for nest construction is 
unknown. The nest, which superficially resembles a 
Traill’s flycatcher nest (Fig. 36), is often placed in a small 
tree near the end of a limb. Nest heights have been 
recorded from 2 to 20 feet above ground. Only three nest 
trees have been identified — apple, oak, and willow. 
Egg laying has been recorded from May 20 to July 3 
45 
