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Range (Breeds from Massachusetts)

Breeds from Massachusetts and Minnesota northward, and southward in Alleghanies to North Carolina; winters in tropics. Washington, casual T. V., one instance, Sept. Sing Sing, tolerably common T. V., May 20; Aug. 15 to Sept. 16. Cambridge, T. V., May 20 to May 30; Aug.; formerly not uncommon S. R.

Nest, of twigs and moss, in coniferous trees, about twenty-five feet up, near the extremity of a limb. Eggs, three to five, vinaceous-white, spotted, chiefly about the larger end, with distinct and obscure rufous markings, 85 × 62. I have seen the Olive-sided Flycatcher only during the migrations, when I look for it on the topmost limb of some high, dead, woodland tree-a commanding position from which it may view its surroundings. Even at a distance it impresses one as being a stout, stocky bird, with a head too large for its body.

During the summer they live among pines or cedars, and are described by Colonel Goss as "bold, quarrelsome, and tyrannical, zealously guarding any chosen locality, where they will be found perched upon the tops of the tallest trees, from which they swoop down upon the passing insects, and often repeat their plaintive pu-pu or pu-pip, the males occasionally uttering a loud, whistling call-note." 461. Contopus virens (Linn.). WOOD PEWEE. Ad.-Upper parts very dark, between olive and fuscous, with sometimes a tinge of dark olivegreen; wings and tail fuscous; wing-coverts tipped with whitish, forming two more or less distinct wing-bars; under parts white or yellowish white, washed with olive-gray on the sides of the throat and breast, and, to a less extent, on the center of breast; upper mandible black; lower mandible yellowish or brownish, the tip frequently darker. Im.-Similar, but yellower below, the wing-coverts edged with cream-buff. L., 6.53; W., 3.34; T., 2.62; B. from N., 42.