WITH BROWN PREDOMINATING 199 
almost impossible to tell in what direction or what dis- 
tance the bird is that makes the noise. Both these 
notes are uttered on the wing or on the ground, and by 
both sexes. ° 
457, SAY PHCEBE. 
Sayornis saya. 
Famity: The Flycatchers. 
Length : 7.50-8.05. 
Adult: Upper parts dark brownish gray; tail black ; belly light cin- 
namon, merging to light brownish gray on breast. 
Young : Similar to adults, but wing-coverts tipped with brown. 
Geographical Distribution: Western United States, north to arctic 
circle, south to Mexico. 
California Breeding Range: East of the Sierra Nevada to Lower Cali- 
fornia. 
Breeding Season: March 10 to June 20. 
Nest : Of weed stems, dry grasses, moss, plant fibre, wool, spider webs, 
hair, and sometimes of mud ; the lining generally composed of wool 
or hair ; placed on projecting ledges, protected by overhanging walls, 
in old tunnels, about barns, or under: bridges. 
Eggs: 3to6; white. Size 0.75 X 0.61. 
SoMEWHAT larger than the Eastern phoebe is the 
Western representative of the family. It has a wide 
geographical distribution, breeding from the arctic circle 
to the southern limit of the United States. In habits 
and general characteristics it resembles the Eastern 
phoebe, returning among the earliest spring migrants 
to its old home, whether that be just inside the borders 
of Southern California or in frosty Alaska. For in 
whatever spot the Say Phoebe has reared its first brood 
it will continue to nest year after year. 
This species is found in greatest numbers in the open 
country, seldom or never frequenting the deep forests. 
