North American Birds Eggs. 



217 



454. Ash-throated Flycatcher. Miji((rrliu-s (■hifrascnts. 



Ran,i,'e.— Nortli Anirrica, we.st of the Plains ami SDnth of 

 Canada. 



Similar to the Others of the tjenus hut tirayish brown above 

 and with the umlerparts much paler, the throat and l)reast be- 

 ing nearly white. Like theothers they nest in cavities in trees, 

 either natural or ones made by Woodpeckers. Their four to 

 five eggs are lighter in color than those of cn'iiifiis but cannot 

 be distinguished from those of the Mexican Crested Flycatcher, 



IPak-buff. 



'".'/'• 



454a. Nutting Flycatcher. Mijiarrhiis riiicrasreiis miffl, 

 Range. — Southern Ai-izona and southward. 

 This smaller sub-species nests in the giant cacti which abound in certain parts 



of southern Arizona; 

 throated Flycatcher 



Its eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the Ash- 



M/jiarrJnis rincrafirnis pcrfiiuix. 



454b. Lower California Flycatcher 



Range. —Lower Ca liforn ia . 



This sub-species is similar to Nutting Flycatcher but paler below and grayer 

 above. " " ' 



[45 5]. Lawrence Flycatcher. Mijiarrhu.'^ lawrcnccL 



Range.— Eastern Mexico. Admitted to our list on the authority of Oiraud as 

 having occured in southern Texas. 



This bird is similar to its sub-species which occurs in southern Arizona, but 

 slightly darker. Its eggs are the same as those of the next to be described. 



455a. Olivaceous Flycatcher. Miji(irr]nij< Imcrencel olivasceas. 

 Range.— Western Mexico, north to southern Arizona. 



This is the smallest of the genus found in the United States, 

 being but 7 inches in length. Except for size it is similar to 

 criiiifii-s but with very little, if any, rusty l)rown on tail, except 

 for a slight edging on the outer web. Their nesting sites are 

 the same as those chosen by the other Crested Flycatchers, but 

 their eggs appear to have but little of the scratchy appearance 

 of the other members. They are pale buffy, speckled and 

 spotted with brown and lilac; size .80 x .60. Data.— Toluca, 



Mexico, May 20, 1895. Nest of brown hair and feathers, in hole in tree in woods. 



Collector, Fred T. Francis. 



Vt; 



456. Phoebe. Sayornis ph<rbe. 



Range.— North America, east of the Rockies and north to Nova Scotia. 



These very common, grayish colored birds are very often known 

 as "Bridge Birds" because of the frequency with which they con- 

 struct their nests under bridges and arches; they also build in 

 crevices in ledges or among the hanging roots near the tops of 

 embankments, and on the rafters or beams of old buildings. The 

 nests are made of mud, moss and grass, lined with feathers. The 

 four (jr five white eggs measure .75 x .55. Occasionally, eggs will 

 be found that have a few minute spots of reddish brown. Freak situations in 

 which to locate their nests are often chosen by these birds, such as the brake 

 beam of a freight car, in the crevices of old wells, hen houses, etc. The birds are 

 one of the most useful that we have: being very active and continually on the 

 alert for insects and beetles that constitute their whole bill of fare. 



[White.] 



