28 WESTERN SERIES OF READERS. 



did she give it up when linnet asked her. Twice 

 has linnet had that nest, and five times has 

 phcebe had it. Each bird relines it before laying 

 her eggs. The swallow claimed it last summer, 

 as you will see in the swallow chapter. 



The black phcebe is one of our most trustful 

 birds, and is resident all over California. It lives 

 on insect food, and so is a very good friend to the 

 farmer, and the housekeeper. It is up early for 

 the flies on the screens and under the spouting, 

 and sits up late for the insects that love the twi- 

 light. It has been seen to catch moths and lace- 

 wings by lamplight. 



We have not seen the male assist at the nest- 

 building, but he is always close-by to hear the call 

 of his mate. He helps to feed the young and to 

 teach them how to fly. Should they fall in at- 

 tempting too long a flight for the first time, he 

 flies straight down to them and tells us exactly 

 where to find them. The young do not leave the 

 nest as early as other birdlings which are hatched 

 from nests in bushes and close trees. The phoeb.es 

 are usually high up, and can see nothing to tempt 

 them out of the nest. You may see them peeping 

 over in a half-frightened way. If they catch sight 

 of you, they will bob their heads down behind 

 the nest rim. If you climb to the nest and put 



