CONSPICUOUSLY BLACK AND WHITE 381 



about a foot up in the rock, and then there was a small 

 cleft in which it was placed. It was so firmly glued to 

 the rock that it could not be pulled off without tearing 

 it to pieces. The materials of which it was constructed 

 felt soft and spongy ; there were no sticks or twigs in 

 it, and it was lined with a few feathers. Evidently it 

 had been in use during more than one season, as the 

 vegetable matter was quite disintegrated." 



458 a. WESTERN BLACK PHCEBE. — Sayornis nigri- 

 cans semiatra. 



Family : The Flycatchers. 



Length: 6.25-7.00. 



Adults : Entire plumage slate-black, except for white belly ; outer web 

 of tail-feathers and under tail-coverts white. 



Young: Similar to adults, but wing-coverts tipped with light rusty. 



Geographical Distribution : Pacific coast from Mexico to Oregon ; east- 

 ward nearly to Southern Texas. 



California Breeding Range: In lower Sonoran zone from latitude 28° 

 northward. 



Breeding Season: April 15 to June 15. 



Nest: A compact though bulky mass of mud mixed with dried grass, 

 weed fibre, and hair; lined with soft feathers; attached to rocks, 

 beams of buildings, or bridges. 



Eggs: 3 to 6 ; white, sometimes finely speckled with reddish brown 

 around the larger end. 



The Black Phoebe resembles the Eastern phcebe even 

 more than does the Say. It builds about human habita- 

 tions near water, and uses mud in the construction of 

 its nest, which is on the same plan, though lacking the 

 beauty, of that of the Eastern variety. Like the latter, it is 

 greatly attached to a locality once used as a nesting site, 

 and returns to it year after year, repairing the old nest 



