BLACK PHOEBE 157 



phoebe's habit of building its nest beneath some sheltering projection 

 has been noted by ornithologists as far back as Dr. J. G. Cooper 

 (1870), who stated that the nest is "stuck against a wall or some- 

 times on a shelf, beam, or ledge of rock, but always under some 

 protecting roof, often under a bridge." Concerning the nest itself, 

 Major Bendire (1895) says: 



Mud seems to enter largely into the construction of its nests, and I believe 

 is invariably used. These are located in similar situations to those of the 

 two preceding species [Sayornis phoehe and S. sayal. It is equally attaclied to 

 a locality once chosen for a nesting site; and instances are recorded where four 

 clutches of eggs have been laid in one season the three previously laid having 

 been taken. Two broods are generally reared in a year and perhaps three. 

 The exterior of the nest consists of small pellets of mud mixed with bits of 

 dry grass, weed fibers, or hair, and somewhat resembles that of a Barn Swallow ; 

 the outer mud wall is carried up to the rim. Inside it is lined witli: weed 

 fibers, fine roots, strips of bark, grass tops, hair, wool, and occasionally feathers. 

 If their eggs are taken, they generally lay another set within two weeks. A 

 nest now before me, taken by Mr. H. W. Henshaw, at Santa Ysabel, California, 

 on April 28, 1S93, measures 5 inches in outer diameter and SVz inches in 

 height; the inner cup is 2% inches in diameter and 1^/4 inches in depth, and 

 is lined with plant fibers and fine grass tops. 



Concerning the nesting of this species at Escondido, Calif.. James B. 

 Dixon (MS.) confirms the observations of others as to the nature 

 of its nesting sites and also remarks that "they establish themselves 

 and return for years to the same place. There has been a pair nest- 

 ing on our old home place to my knowledge since 1900, and they are 

 still there. Probably a good many generations have lived there 

 during the 40 years, but there has never been a season that a pair 

 did not show up and raise one and quite often two broods of young. 

 Nests are of mud and lined with fine diy grass tissue or animal hair. 

 Horsehair is often used and sometimes results tragically, as they hang 

 themselves in the loops of horse hair woven into the mud and lining." 

 Similarly stressing the attachment of individuals to their own par- 

 ticular nesting sites, F. B. Jewett (1899) writes: 



My observations have been confined to one pair of birds which have nested 

 on my barn for some eight years past. While I cannot state positively that 

 it has been the same pair during the entire term I am led to believe timt such 

 is the case. During the first two or three years the birds changed the site 

 of their nest frequently, probably owing to some disturbance, for afterwards 

 when I guarded them against interference they chose a site which they have 

 occupied ever since. * • * 



Both birds assisted in the construction of the nest, one working while the 

 other kept watch. Both also Incubated, dividing the work equally, as nearly 

 as I could judge. In most cases the eggs were laid on consecutive days, in- 

 cubation commencing immediately after the laying of the last egg. * * * 



The birds have used the same nest for four years, tearing out the old 

 lining and replacing it with new at the beginning of each season and mending 

 places that had been broken. 



