PERCHING BIRDS 



457. Say's Phcebe. Sayornis sayus. 



Range. — Western United States, breeding 

 from southern United States, north to the Arc- 

 tic regions, and from Kansas and Wisconsin 

 westward. Winters in Mexico. 



This bird is slightly larger than the last 

 (7.5 inches long), and is rusty brown color on 

 the belly and lower breast. Like the eastern 

 Phcebes they are one of the earliest birds to re- 

 turn in the spring and are abundant in the 



,. greater parts of their range. 



Like the latter, they often 



raise two broods a season, 



L one in April and another in 



v July. Their nests are gener 



ally placed on narrow shelves 



White and crevices of ledges, bul 



they also nest as commonly about houses and 



farms as does the eastern bird. The nests are 



made of weeds, mosses, libres and wool, and 



are quite flat. They lay lour or five white eggs. 



Size .78 x .58. 



+58. Black Phcebe. Sayornis nigricans. 



Range. — Mexico and north in summer into 

 the bordering States. 



This species is of the size of the last but 

 is blackish (darkest on the head and breast 1. 



with a white belly and under 



tail coverts, the latter streak- 

 ed with dusky. Their habit- 



and nesting habits are th< 



same as those of the eastern 



Phoebe, they building their 



nests of mud, moss, weeds 



and feathers on ledges or 

 about buildings, and generalh close to or in the vicinity of water. They breed 

 during April or May, laying four or live white eggs which cannot be distinguish- 

 ed from those of the common Phoebe. Size .75 x .55. 



k 



White 





l.)Ka. Western Black Phcebe. Sayornis nigricans semiatra. 



Range.- 1'acilic Coast of Mexico and the United States, breeding north to 

 Oregon. 



This variety differs from the last in having the under tail coverts pure white. 

 Its nesting habits are precisely the same and the eggs indistinguishable. 



JV.t 



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