53 



where so that the nest will be shaded and protected from 

 sight and the weather. 



Because of the comparative darkness of the situations 

 they choose, in which to build their homes, it is quite difficult 

 to make satisfactory pictures of Phoebes feeding their 

 young. Not only that, but the birds are so active that it 

 is difficult to show the feeding process even though the 

 light were good. Usually, reflected sunlight from a large 

 mirror has to be used to secure illumination sufficient to 

 make an instantaneous exposure. A picture of a Phoebe 

 sitting upon its nest in a shed is shown, taken in this man- 

 ner; also a picture of the eggs in the nest, taken by having 

 another mirror inverted above the nest. 



When a suburban trolley line crossed a certain brook, 

 they put in very heavy iron girders for the foundation. A 

 pair of Phoebes took a liking to this spot and built their 

 moss-covered house on the lower flange of one girder. Here 

 they laid their eggs and reared the family. Cars passed 

 every thirty minutes, or as regularly as street cars usually 

 go to such a schedule, on rails but two feet above the head 

 of the mother as she sat upon the nest. The bird must have 

 been entirely devoid of nerves for she never moved as the 

 cars rumbled overhead with a clatter and roar that sounded 

 fearful from underneath. I spent several hours under 

 there and I was very glad to leave at the end of that time. 

 A mirror situated on the bank below the bridge was used 

 to throw a spot of light on the nest. The camera was set 

 on a tripod in the water, which was only about six inches 

 deep, while I had to crouch on a few small stones and try 

 to keep my balance. Some cloth, tacked to the planking 

 above and draping down to the water screened the camera 

 and myself from the birds. From time to time, I had to 

 push the mirror slightly so as to keep the little spot of sun- 

 light where it would cover the nest. It was a very easy mat- 

 ter to secure pictures of the mother as she stood on the edge 



