BIRDS OF NEW YORK STATE T7 



Phoebe {Sayornxs phxbe) 



The first of the flycatchers to arrive from the South, reaching 

 central New York early in April. At this time it feeds upon flies 

 that are emerging from their winter quarters and other insects 

 that start the insect life in the spring. 7 



Call no. 



Nu Pk Adult on Twig near Nest, Front View. Gcneseo. (1911) 



Bailey 

 Nu Pkl Adult on Perch, Side View. (August IS, 1915) Bailey 



This bird is watching for insects. The click of the shutter 

 has caused it to crouch. It ordinarily sits more erect. 



Nu Pk2 Nest with Four Eggs in Shale Rock on Shelving Bank 



Bailey 

 Of what is the nest constructed? 



Nu Pk3 Nest and Eggs on Ledge of Rocks 



Formerly this bird nested wholly on rock ledges. But now- 

 adays it more commonly nests in buildings and on the timbers 

 of bridges. Nests in the rock are more often found by the cow- 

 bird than are those in buildings. This may account for the pref- 

 erence of the phoebe for buildings. It also prefers the vicinity 

 of water. 



Nu Pk32 Old and New Nests Side by Side on a Ledge of Rocks. 

 Ithaca. (May 17, 1908) Allen 



The phoebe returns to the same spot year after year. \\'hich 

 of these nests was built the later? 



Nu Pk4 Nest Filled with Young Birds, in Old Building 

 Note the broad flat bills of the flycatcher family. 



Nu Pk5 Three Young Birds on Small Limb. Lake George. (July 

 10, 1907) Bailey 



The adult has just-flown near the young, the blur of the wing 

 showing on the extreme left in the picture. This accounts for 

 the open mouth of the young on the right. 



Nu Pk3S Two Young Birds in Nest under Ledge of Moss-covered 

 Rock. The Big gully, Guyunoga. (June IS, 1913) 



Burtch 



Gullies are a favorite home for the phoebe, especially under 

 ox'crhanging roots or rocks. From the date of this picture this 



