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Range (Breeds from Florida to New)

Breeds from Florida to New Brunswick; winters from southern Florida to Central America.

Washington, very common S. R., Apl. 25 to Sept. Sing Sing, common S. R., May 7 to Sept. 12. Cambridge, uncommon S. R., May 15 to Aug. LEAST FLYCATCHER.

PHEBE.

FLYCATCHERS.

Nest, of grasses, twigs, and rootlets, with generally a piece of a cast snake skin, in a hole in a tree, generally less than twenty feet up. Eggs, three to six, creamy white, streaked longitudinally with chocolate, 90 x 68. During the spring migration each day brings its own surprise and pleasure. The bare, silent woods where I walked alone before are now astir with flitting wings and ringing with glad music. Each morning I hurry out, full of eager anticipation, to be thrilled by the greeting of. some old friend come home again.

There are red-letter days, however, even in this calendar. Hark! from the woods a loud whistle pierces far through the clearing. The Great-crest has come!

FIG. 75. Crested Flycatcher. (Natural size.) I break away from the confusing chorus of small voices and hurry off to the woods for the first sight of the distinguished bird. Full of life and vigor, he flies about in the green tree tops, chattering to himself or calling loudly as he goes.

Not many days pass, however, before he is so taken up with domestic matters that his voice is rarely heard outside the woods. Is he engaged in his famous pursuit-hunting snake skins to line his nest? Absorbed in my daily round of nest calls, I cherish the memory of each passing glimpse of him. Now I see him launch from a basswood top, with wings and tail spread, to sail down through the air, his tail glowing red against the light. Again, when looking for a rare Warbler, his calls arrest me. In the dead top of the highest tree in sight I find him with his mate. With crests raised, the handsome birds chase each other about the bare branches. Tired of that, they explore the old Woodpecker's holes in the trunk, and one of them walks out of sight down a hollow limb. A Blackbird lights in the tree, and the Great-crest above becomes so agitated that I am convinced his mate has gone to her nest, when lo! both Flycatchers are off and away to another of the great trees that overtop the forest.