13 
THE PHBE. 
(Sayornis phabe.) 
Among the early spring arrivals at the North, none are more welcome 
than the phoebe (fig. 7). Though naturally building its nest under an 
overhanging cliff of rock or earth, or in the mouth of a cave, its prefer- 
ence for the vicinity of farm buildings is so marked that in the more 
thickly settled parts of the country the bird is seldom seen at any great 
distance from a farmhouse except where a bridge spans some stream, 
atfording a secure spot for a nest. Its confiding disposition has ren- 
dered it a great favorite, and consequently it is seldom disturbed. It 
breeds throughout the United States east of the Great Plains, and 
winters from the South Atlantic and Gulf States southward. 
Fia. 7.—Phebe. 
The pheebe subsists almost exclusively upon insects, most of which 
are caught upon the wing. An examination of 80 stomachs showed 
that over 93 per cent of the year’s food consists of insects and spiders, 
while wild fruit constitutes the remainder. The insects belong chiefly 
to noxious species, and include many click beetles, May beetles, and 
weevils. Grasshoppers in their season are eaten to a considerable 
extent, while wasps of various species, many flies of species that annoy 
cattle, and a few bugs and spiders are also eaten regularly. Itis evident 
that + pair of phoebes must materially reduce the number of insects 
hea, a garden or field, as the birds often, if not always, raise two broods 
. @ year, and each brood numbers from four to six young. 
.. The vegetable portion of the food is unimportant, and consists mainly 
of ? ew seeds, with small fruits, such as wild cherries, elder berries, and 
