Bird Notes from Itasca County 115 



chasing crows, hawks and owls whenever they appear. The burned- 

 over land is their favorite haunt, and here they sit perched on the 

 point of a needle-like shaft, awaiting the appearance of insects. 

 Breeds throughout the county, most often near the roads. 



59. Phoebe — Sayomis pJioete (Lath.) 



Both seen and heard frequently. A common breeding species, 

 which is found most commonly in the hard-woods, where their 

 mournful note is quite characteristic. Several old nests were 

 found, including one evidently deserted and containing three eggs, 

 which was found on a shelf near a broken window in an aban- 

 doned homestead. 



60. Wood Pewee — Myiochanes virens (Linn.) 



A common summer resident and breeding species. A pair had 

 their nest under the eaves of the sleeping shack, and used to sit 

 side by side on top of lan upturned canoe near by, and watch us 

 dress each morning. 



61. Least Flycatcher — Empidonax ininimus (Baird). 



Seen and heard frequently near camp. During the third week 

 of July one of these birds was seen carrying food, though neither 

 the nest nor the young were ever discovered. Seem also to prefei 

 hard-woods. 



62. Blue Jay — Cyanocitta cristata cristata (Linn.) 



A common resident, more abundant in the summer, however, 

 than in the winter. There is probably a partial migration of the 

 species southward. Breeds in hard-wood or evergreen woods alike, 

 and nests were found in both. Very quiet during the breeding sea- 

 son; as soon as the young leave the nest they become loquacious, 

 and grow more and more noisy as the season advances. 



63. Clanada Jay — Perisoreiis canadens^is canadensis (Linn.) 



A single individual was seen near the southern border of the 

 county on August 20. It is possible that this may be a breeding 

 species, but it is far more common as a winter resident. During 

 the winter the birds appear in considerable numbers, and live up 

 to their reputation of daring and fearlessness by making them- 

 selves perfectly at home about the camp. Commonly known as 

 the " Lumber Jack " and " Moose bird." 



64. Cfow — Corvus bracTiyrhynchos brachyrhynchos Brehm. 

 Common in the more open places, where they congregate in 



considerable numbers. Rather wild and difficult to approach, and 

 always on the lookout for intruders. A breeding species. 



65. Raven — Corvus corax principalis Ridg. 



Apparently a winter resident only, as no evidence of their 

 presence was found, though the writer fully expected to find them 



