50 Dice, Birds of Southeastern Washington. [jg,, 



timber along the Touchet River at Prescott. Two young fully able to 

 fly were noted on Aug. 11, 1915. The species was last seen on Aug. 24. 



Stellula calliope. Calliope Hummingbird. — A juvenile was taken 

 Aug. 6, 1914, in brush along Butte Creek. 



Tyrannus tyrannus. Eastern Kingbird. — A few were seen in 

 early June, 1914, in the willows along the Walla Walla River near Wallula. 

 Near Prescott and Walla Walla they are common in summer, but are not 

 so abundant as the western kingbird. They are most abundant at the 

 edges of timber, in orchards, and in the shade trees about isolated farm 

 buildings, but are often found on fence posts in the bunchgrass considerable 

 distance from trees. On Eureka Flat they were numerous in the early 

 part of June, 1914, several miles from the nearest timber. 



One nest was found July 13, 1909, and another on June 26, 1914, both 

 on a small bridge over the Touchet River near Prescott. In 1915 they 

 were last noted in this region on Sept. 1. 



Tyrannus verticalis. Western Kingbird. — In early June, 1914, num- 

 erous pairs were observed near Wallula and they were numerous on Eureka 

 Flat. They are abundant in summer near Prescott. They are not usually 

 found in heavy timber, but prefer open woods or places where there are 

 only a few trees. A favorite place is in the shade trees about farm buildings. 

 Sometimes they are found in the bunchgrass hills far away from buildings 

 or trees. 



Spring arrival dates at Prescott are: April 30, 1905; April 26, 1908; 

 and April 21, 1913. In 1915 they were last noted on Aug. 22. 



On June 12, 1914, one was seen brooding a nest on a hay derrick near 

 Wallula, and remained on the nest even when the derrick was in use. 

 Near Prescott they nest commonly in trees and about barns. On May 7, 

 1908, a nest in process of construction was found in a locust tree. On May 

 13, 1908, a completed nest was observed in a barn in the bunchgrass hills 

 southwest of Prescott. June 12, 1914, a nest was seen on a rocky cliff at 

 Lyon's Ferry. In the foothills of the Blue Mountains, southeast of Waits- 

 burg, a nest was noted on a fence post in bunchgrass. They also breed at 

 Walla Walla (Bendire, 1895, 24S). 



The Western Kingbird is very pugnacious and fearless and will attack 

 any animal which ventures near the nest. In the bunchgrass country, 

 where nesting sites are scarce, they will make use of any sort of a small 

 box nailed up for their use. If they can be induced to nest near a poultry 

 yard, hawks and magpies are effectively kept away. 



Sayornis sayus. Say's Phosbe. — Reported from Walla Walla (lien- 

 dire, 1895, 277). One was seen June 17, 1914, in bunchgrass on the hills 

 near Nine-mile. They are common in summer in the neighborhood of 

 Prescott. At Lyon's Ferry one was seen June 23, 1914. Their preference 

 is for open country with a few trees, and they are seldom found in heavy 

 timber. Sometimes they are found a mile or more from trees. In the 

 bunchgrass hills they are often found about farm buildings. 



March 8, 1905, and March 9, 1908, are spring arrival dates at Prescott, 



