THE FLYCATCHERS. 175 



insects are chiefly of species injurious to man's interests, so 

 that these feathered friends are of great utility in reducing 

 the hordes of noxious pests. 



The nest of the phcebe is built by preference upon the 

 timbers of a bridge, with the murmur of running water just 

 beneath. It is composed of mud and moss plastered against 

 the side of the support. When it is completed the mother bird 

 lays four or five white eggs, which are faithfully incubated 

 until they hatch into hungry birdlings that keep the parents 

 busy bringing food. The young are fed wholly with insects 

 and their allies, including chiefly moths, grasshoppers, ants, 

 spiders, and similar creatures. 



The phoebe is so universal a favorite that it has not wanted 

 champions wherever it is found. But the knowledge of its 

 exceeding usefulness should win for it more friends, who 

 shall encourage its increase in every way possible. For 

 surely there can be no straining of the quality of mercy in 

 protecting these feathered creatures : such mercy is thrice 

 blessed, — for it blesses first the birds, second ourselves, and 

 third our children and our children's children in trans- 

 mitting to them undiminished Nature's heritage of man's 

 allies. 



The Kingbird is noted for its pugnacious antipathy to 

 hawks and crows, and is esteemed by agriculturists for this 

 quality which makes it a veritable knight of the farm. It is 

 familiar with mankind, makes its home in the orchard, and 

 takes no pains to hide its nest. The protection it affords 

 against marauding birds is not more important than its 

 benefits as an insect destroyer. Ninety per cent, of its food 

 consists of insects, including such noxious species as May- 

 beetles, click-beetles, wheat and fruit weevils, grasshoppers, 

 and leaf-hoppers. 



Bee-keepers have made the claim against the kingbird that 

 it is destructive to bees, but evidence furnished by dissections 

 tends to prove that this damage is really of slight conse- 



