PHCEBE. 261 



Nest, in hollow of trees, sometimes in the deserted hole of a woodpecker, 

 composed of straw, leaves, rootlets and other vegetable materials, lined with 

 feathers ; about the edge are always to be found pieces of the cast-off skins of 

 snakes. 



Eggs, four or five, light buffy-brown, streaked lengthwise by lines and 

 markings of purplish and darker brown. 



This species is a regular summer resident along the southern 

 frontier, where it arrives early in May, and soon makes its presence 

 known by the loud note of warning which is heard among the tree 

 tops long before the bird is visible. 



Dr. Wheatoii, in his " Birds of Ohio," states that this species is 

 very numerous near Columbus, where the country being well cleared 

 and the usual breeding places difficult to find, the birds have taken 

 to the use of boxes put up for bluebirds and martins, and have 

 been observed to dispossess the legitimate owners. It has also 

 been noticed that the snake skins are left out, when the nests are 

 in boxes. 



This Flycatcher is found sparingly in Manitoba and the North- 

 West; farther south, it is more common. Its food consists of insects, 

 while these are obtainable ; but in the fall, before leaving, it readily 

 takes grapes and other berries. 



It is the largest of the flycatchers which visit us, and it shows 

 to great advantage in the woods in spring, wheji its clear colors 

 harmonize with the opening leaves. 



Many spend the winter in Mexico. 



GENUS SAYORNIS BONAPARTE. 

 SAYORNIS PHCEBE (LATH.). 



187. Phoebe. (456) 



Dull olivaceous-brown ; the head much darker fuscous-brown, almost 

 blackish, usually in marked contrast with the back ; below, soiled whitish, or 

 palest possible yellow, particularly on the belly ; the sides and the breast, 

 nearly or quite across shaded with grayish-brown ; wings and tail, dusky ; 

 the outer tail feather, inner secondaries and usually the wing coverts, edged 

 with whitish ; a whitish ring around the eye ; bill and feet, black, varies 

 greatly in shade. The foregoing is the average spring condition. As the 

 summer passes, the plumage becomes much duller and darker brown from 

 wearing of the feathers, and then, after the moult, fall specimens are much 

 "brighter than in spring, the under parts being frequently decidedly yellow, 



