ten appear more like a bunch of debris deposited in
the fork by the wind than like the creation of a bird. Their three or
four eggs are buffy, spotted or specked with brown; size .75 x .55.

466. TRAILL'S FLYCATCHER. _Empidonax trailli trailli._

Range.--Western North America, from the Mississippi Valley to the
Pacific; winters south of the United States.

This species is very similar to the next, but the back is said to be
more brownish. They are common and nest abundantly in thickets and low
scrubby woods, usually placing the nest at a low elevation, preferably
in a clump of willows; the nests are made of fine strips of bark, plant
fibres, and very fine rootlets being woven about and firmly fastened in
upright crotches. Their eggs, which are laid in June, are buffy white,
specked and spotted, chiefly at the large end, with brownish; size .70 x
.54.

[Illustration 296: 464--466.]
[Illustration: Buffy.]
[Illustration: Creamy white.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]

Page 295

466a. ALDER FLYCATCHER. _Empidonax trailli alnorum._

Range.--United States, east of the Mississippi and north to New
Brunswick.

The only difference between this and the preceding variety is in the
more greenish upper parts. They are quite abundant in the breeding
season from New England and northern New York northward, frequenting, to
a great extent, alder thickets bordering streams. Their nests and eggs
do not differ appreciably from those of the western variety of Traill
Flycatcher.

467. LEAST FLYCATCHER. _Empidonax minimus._

Range.--North America, east of the Rockies and north to the interior of
Canada, wintering south of the United States.

These little birds (5.5 inches long) are common about houses and
orchards on the outskirts of cities, and on the edges of forests or open
woods. They are very frequently known by the name of Chebec from their
continually uttered note. In nearly all instances, the nests are placed
in upright forks at elevations varying from four to twenty-four feet
from the ground. The nests are made chiefly of plant fibres, fine
grasses, string, cobwebs, etc., and the three to five eggs are pale
creamy white; size .65 x .50.

468. HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER. _Empidonax hammondi._

Range.--North America, west of the Rockies and from British Columbia
southward, wintering south of the United States.

This western representative of the Least Flycatcher is less abundant and
more shy