200 LAND BIRDS 
Originally, all phoebes built on sheltered ledges of cliffs, 
or shelves in caves, or on any jutting bit of rock secured 
from storm by an overhanging roof. But all this is 
changed, now that men have conquered the wilderness 
and caused it to blossom like the rose. These birds 
were among the first to recognize the advantage of 
human friendship and to seek its protection. Without 
a question they preempted the beams of barns together 
with the swallows, encroaching more and more upon the 
new-found territory, until now they build their nests as 
close to human dwellings as the owners will permit. 
Beams of piazzas, window-ledges behind blinds, and 
summer book-shelves nailed to the wall of the veranda 
are among their chosen sites. Unlike her Eastern repre- 
sentative, Sayornis saya rarely uses mud in the construc- 
tion of her home, making quite a flat structure of weed 
stems, dry grasses, moss, wool, hair, spider webs, and 
silky material from cocoons or plant down. Usually it 
is smoothly lined with this silky fibre or wool, or some- 
times hair. Four or five pearly eggs are laid, one each 
day, and the day after the set is completed the mother 
begins her cares. Incubation lasts two weeks, and 
although the male does not brood he sits all day long 
on a lookout near by. The newly hatched young are 
naked except for a slight gray fuzz on their saffron skin. 
Until six days old their eyes are closed by a skinny 
membrane, and during this time they are fed by regur- 
gitation. They mature very rapidly, and in two weeks 
have their feathers well in order for their first attempts 
to fly. Up to this time the father bird has diligently 
