THE LEAST FLYCATCHER. (_Empidonax minimus._)
This species, in general appearance and place of habitat, much resembles the wood pewee, but it is smaller in size, and its mode of nesting is quite different.
Its scolding notes are the repetition of a simple "chip"; but these are seldom heard except when its nest or young are approached. Its song, if such it may be called, resembles the word "chebeck" repeated in a clear tone, may often be heard, especially for some weeks after its arrival.
Its advent here usually occurs in the latter part of May; and it leaves Canada for more southern latitudes in the early part of September.
Its usual habitat is the high, rolling, hard-wood timbered lands; and for the hilly margins of gravel-bottomed creeks, it seems to have a decided partiality.
In the dry season it feeds occasionally on small fish, which it easily captures, as they wriggle in the shallow water, though in general it feeds on small insects and their progeny in various stages of development.
This little creature is quite pugilistic, and in the pairing season two males often indulge in a free and fierce fight, which probably influences the female in her decision of accepting the victor as her future partner.
The nest of this species is placed in the upright fork of a small tree, or where some small branches project from a larger stem. It is a neat, compact structure, much like that of the redstarts, composed chiefly of the fibrous matter that forms between the bark and wood of decayed trees, lined with fine hair. The set of eggs, numbering from two to five, are of a clear white hue. It does not appear to nest more than once during the season.
For The Hawkeye O. and O. BIRD NESTING IN THE NORTH OF ENGLAND.
Crossing the stream above Thornton Force, we ascend a hill; and on reaching the top a splendid panorama opens before us. Towards the west, the river Lune wends its way for nearly twenty miles, and after passing through the town of Lancaster, empties itself into Morcambe Bay. The sun is shining on the sea, which is twenty miles away, although it does not appear half that distance. The atmosphere is very clear in this region, and taking out our field glass we plainly see several ships and steamers sailing in the Irish Sea. Towards the north are the mountain peaks of Cumberland and Westmoreland, standing out boldly; to the east stands Ingleborough mountain, towards the foot of which we make our way. We soon cross another stream which runs over Beezley Falls and down through another fairy gorge called Crina Bottom, which is similar to the one we have just traversed, with numerous cascades, and where more water ouzels, wagtails and redpolls breed; but we have not time to stay here, wishing to get on to the moors to find some plover's eggs.