Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 533 



Length, about 8.50; wing, 4; tail, 4; bill, .75. 



The Crested Flycatcher is a regular although not a common sum- 

 mer resident in northern Illinois and Wisconsin; more numerous in 

 southern Illinois. The nest is placed in a hole in a tree, sometimes a 

 deserted woodpecker's nest is used. The eggs are from four to six 

 in number, dull white or cream white, streaked with chocolate brown. 

 They measure about .90 x .70 inches. 



The Field Museum collection contains a nest and egg taken at 

 Joliet,Ill., June 12, 1906, and a set of five eggs at New Lenox (Chicago), 

 111., June 27, 1905. 



Genus SAYORNIS Gray. 



207. Sayornis phoebe (Lath.). 

 Phoebe Flycatcher 



Distr. : Eastern North America, west to Colorado and Texas, and 

 from the British Provinces south to Mexico and Cuba in winter. 

 Breeds from about the latitude of South Carolina northward. 



Adult: Both mandibles, blackish; upper plumage, olive brown; 

 the top and sides of the head, decidedly darker than the back; under 

 parts, dull whitish, faintly tinged with very pale yellow, at times 

 hardly noticeable; sides of breast, grayish brown; wings and tail 

 dusky brown, the secondaries and outer tail feathers narrowly edged 

 with white; a somewhat obscure whitish ring around the eye; pri- 

 maries, not emarginate. 



Length, about 7; wing, 3.25; tail, 3.15; bill, .50. 



The Phoebe Flycatcher, or Phoebe as it is usually called, is an 

 abundant summer resident in Illinois and Wisconsin, breeding 

 throughout both states. In connection with its size, the dark brown 

 or blackish lower mandible and the white outer vane of the outer tail 

 feather will easily distinguish it from other local species. 



It arrives from the south early in April and at once begins mating. 

 The nest is rather large, composed of moss, grass and mud, and lined 

 with hair and feathers. It is built on rocks, beams of old buildings, 

 bridges, etc. The eggs are 5 or 6, usually pure white, but sometimes 

 showing a few dots or spots of brown. Size about .82 x .56 inches. 



The Field Museum collection contains the following sets of eggs 

 from northern Illinois, i egg, Joliet, 111., May 8, 1906; 5 eggs, 

 Chicago, 111., May 11, 1904; 5 eggs, Joliet, 111., June 17, 1905; 5 eggs, 

 Joliet, 111., June 17, 1906; 2 eggs, Chicago, III, June 27, 1905. 



