3i8 



THE PHCEBE. 



ing on a nail in a deserted cabin. Air. Henninger was obliged to take the pot 

 do^\■n in order to secure a good photograph. 



As may be guessed from the catholicity of Phoebe's tastes, many un- 

 toward accidents befall during nesting time. Some nests are drowned out; a 

 crumbling ledge or weakening mud-cement causes the downfall of others ; 

 while the Phcebe suffers more than most from misplaced confidence in man — 

 or boy. Saddest of all, perhaps, is the annual destruction by parasites. 

 Phcebe's fondness for chicken feathers frecj^uently involves the introduction 

 of chicken-lice into the nest, and these and other vermin make the poor bird's 

 life a burden. Finding cold eggs or desiccated young, one unacquainted with 

 the cause of Phcebe's hardships, is inclined to chide the parent birds for neg- 

 ligence, especially if they be seen at some distance uttering only a feeble plaint; 

 but a careful investigation will exonerate the birds, and let the observer into 

 the secret of their tragic sorrow. 



In this connection a word of advice to those who are the favored hosts of 

 Phoebe, may not be amiss. AVhen you are giving the chickens / 



their spring bath of sulphur, remember Phcebe's nest. If you 

 find evidence of vermin, remove the eggs carefully while you 

 sprinkle the nest thoroughly with the powder, but do not get 



WHERE PHCEBE CAPTURES THE EAREY FEY. 



too much on the inside. Phcebe may not like it at first, but she will lead off 

 six lusty youngsters at the end of the season, and that will be thanks enough. 

 Or in return, you may figure out how many house-flies a pair of Phcebes will 

 catch in a day, working at the rate of two a minute. 



y\n exhaustive list of Phcebe's enemies is not possible or necessary, but 

 a little drama which I once witnessed in the romantic park at Elyria,' is at 

 least fruitful in suggestion. While hunting along the side of the steep river 

 bank with two companions, our attention was arrested by the excited "chit- 



