200 LAND BIRDS 



Originally, all phcfibes built on sheltered ledges of cliffs, 

 or shelves in caves, or on any jutting bit of rock secured 

 from storm by an overhanging roof But all this is 

 changed, now that men have conquered the wilderness 

 and caused it to blossom like the rose. These birds 

 were among the first to recognize the advantage of 

 human friendship and to seek its protection. Without 

 a question they preempted the beams of barns together 

 with the swallows, encroaching more and more upon the 

 new-found territory, until now they build their nests as 

 close to human dwellings as the owners will permit. 

 Beams of piazzas, window-ledges behind blinds, and 

 summer book-shelves nailed to the wall of the veranda 

 are among their chosen sites. Unlike her Eastern repre- 

 sentative, Sayornis saya rarely uses mud in the construc- 

 tion of her home, making quite a flat structure of weed 

 stems, dry grasses, moss, wool, hair, spider webs, and 

 silky material from cocoons or plant down. Usually it 

 is smoothly lined with this silky fibre or wool, or some- 

 times hair. Four or five pearly eggs are laid, one each 

 day, and the day after the set is completed the mother 

 begins her cares. Incubation lasts two weeks, and 

 although the male does not brood he sits all day long 

 on a lookout near by. The newly hatched young are 

 naked except for a slight gray fuzz on their saff"ron skin. 

 Until six days old their eyes are closed by a skinny 

 membrane, and during this time they are fed by regur- 

 gitation. They mature very rapidly, and in two weeks 

 have their feathers well in order for their first attempts 

 to fly. Up to this time the father bird has diligently 



