318 THE PEGE BE. 
ing on a nail in a deserted cabin. Mr. Henninger was obliged to take the pot 
down in order to secure a good photograph. 
As may be guessed from the catholicity of Phcebe’s tastes, many un- 
toward accidents befall during nesting time. Some nests are drowned out; a 
crumbling ledge or weakening mud-cement causes the downfall of others; 
while the Phoebe suffers more than most from misplaced confidence in man— 
boy. Saddest of all, perhaps, is the annual destruction by parasites. 
Pheebe’s fondness for chicken feathers frequently involves the introduction 
of chicken-lice into the nest, and these and other vermin make the poor bird’s 
life a burden. Finding cold eggs or desiccated young, one unacquainted with 
the cause of Phcebe’s hardships, is inclined to chide the parent birds for neg- 
ligence, especial y if they be seen at some distance uttering only a feeble plaint ; 
but a careful investigation will exonerate the birds, and let the observer into 
the secret of their tragic sorrow. 
In this connection a word of advice to those who are the favored hosts of 
Phceebe, may not be amiss. When you are giving the chickens / 
their spring bath of sulphur, remember Phcebe’s nest. If you 
find evidence of vermin, remove the eggs carefully while you 
sprinkle the nest thoroughly with the powder, but do not get 
WHERE PHBE CAPTURES THE EARLY FLY. 
too much on the inside. Phcebe may not like it at first, but she will lead off 
six lusty youngsters at the end of the season, and that will be thanks enough. 
Or in return, you may figure out how many house-flies a pair of Phcebes ail 
catch in a day, working at the rate of two a minute. 
An exhaustive list of Phoebe’s enemies is not possible or necessary, but 
\ little drama which I once witnessed in the romantic park at Elyria, is at 
ae fruitful in suggestion. While hunting along the side of the steep river 
bank with two companions, our attention was arrested by the excited “chit- 
