NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS EGGS. 217 



454. Ash-throated Flycatcher. Myiarchus cinerascens. 



Range. North America, west of the Plains and south of 

 Canada. 



Similar to the others of the genus but grayish brown above 

 and with the underparts much paler, the throat and breast be- 

 ing nearly white. Like the others they nest in cavities in trees, 

 either natural or ones made by Woodpeckers. Their four to 



five eggs are lighter in color than those of crinitus but cannot 



be distinguished from those of the Mexican Crested Flycatcher. [Pale buff.J 



454a. Nutting Flycatcher. Myiarchus cinerascens nuttingi. 



Range. Southern Arizona and southward. 



This smaller sub-species nests in the giant cacti which abound in certain parts 

 of southern Arizona; its eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the Ash- 

 throated Flycatcher. 



454b. Lower California Flycatcher. Myiarchus cinerascens pertinax. 



Range. Lower California. 



This sub-species is similar to Nutting Flycatcher but paler below and grayer 

 above. 



[455]. Lawrence Flycatcher. Myiarchus lawrencei. 



^ Range. Eastern Mexico. Admitted to our list on the authority of Giraud as 



having occured in southern Texas. 



This bird is similar to its sub-species which occurs in southern Arizona, but '^Y_ i 3 

 slightly darker. Its eggs are the same as those of the next to be described. - , T 



455a. Olivaceous Flycatcher. Myiarchus lawrencei olivascens. 

 Range. Western Mexico, north to southern Arizona. 



This is the smallest of the genus found in the United States, 'f 

 being but 7 inches in length. Except for size it is similar to 

 crinitus but with very little, if any, rusty brown on tail, except 

 :*\* ^ for a slight edging on the outer web. Their nesting sites are 

 the same as those chosen by the other Crested Flycatchers, but 

 their eggs appear to have but little of the scratchy appearance 

 of the other members. They are pale buffy, speckled and 

 spotted with brown and lilac; size .80 x .60. Data. Toluca, 

 Mexico, May 20, 1895. Nest of brown hair and feathers, in hole in tree in woods. 

 Collector, Fred T. Francis. 



456. Phoebe. Sayornis phoebe. 



Range.-North America, east of the Rockies and north to Nova Scotia, 



These very common, grayish colored birds' are very often known 

 as "Bridge Birds" because of the frequency with which they con- 

 struct their nests under bridges and arches; they also build in 

 crevices in ledges or among the hanging roots near the to ps of 

 embankments, and on the rafters or beams of old buildings. 1 he 

 nests are made of mud, moss and grass lined with feathers. 1 he [Whlte<1 



mr or five white eggs measure .75 ? .55. Occasionally, eggs will 

 be foundThlt ha've^few minute sfots of reddish brown Freak situaUons in 

 which to locate their nests are often chosen by these b rds such a ; the a k 

 beam of a freight car, in the crevices of old wells, hen houses, etc. Ine I 

 one of the molt useful that we have; being very active and continually on the 

 alert for insects and beetles that constitute their whole bill of fare. 



