WITH BROWN PREDOMINATING 199 



almost impossible to tell in what direction or what dis- 

 tance the bird is that makes the noise. Both these 

 notes are uttered on the wing or on the ground, and by 

 both sexes. 



457. SAY PHOEBE.— Sayornis sayus. 



Family : The Flycatchers. 



Length: 7.50-8.05. 



Adult : Upper parts dark brownish gray ; tail black ; belly light cin- 

 namon, merging to light brownish gray on breast. 



Toting : Similar to adults, but wing-coverts tipped with brown. 



Geographical Distribution : Western United States, north to arctic 

 circle, south to Mexico. 



California Breeding Range : East of the Sierra Nevada to Lower Cali- 

 fornia. 



Breeding Season : March 10 to June 20. 



Nest : Of weed stems, dry grasses, moss, plant fibre, wool, spider webs, 

 hair, and sometimes of mud ; the lining generally composed of wool 

 or hair ; placed on projecting ledges, protected by overhanging walls, 

 in old tunnels, about barns, or under bridges. 



Eggs: 3 to 6 ; white. Size 0.75 X 0.61. 



Somewhat larger than the Eastern phoebe is the 

 Western representative of the family. It has a wide 

 geographical distribution, breeding from the arctic circle 

 to the southern limit of the United States. In habits 

 and general characteristics it resembles the Eastern 

 phoebe, returning among the earliest spring migrants 

 to its old home, whether that be just inside the borders 

 of Southern California or in frosty Alaska. For in 

 whatever spot the Say Phoebe has reared its first brood 

 it will continue to nest year after year. 



This species is found in greatest numbers in the open 

 country, seldom or never frequenting the deep forests. 



