verandas, etc. Sometimes it builds under the roofs in barns in the same way as the 

 Barn Swallows do. Dr. Brewer has known these birds to build on a small shelf in the 

 porch of a dwelling; against the wall of a railroad station within reach of the passengers, 

 and under a projecting window-sill, in full view of the family, entirely unmoved by the 

 presence of the latter at meal-time. From its habit of building under old wooden bridges 

 it has been called "Bridge-bird." In unsettled places its nest has been found in the roots 

 of upturned trees, in caves, and on the face of moss-covered upright rocks. Though not 

 of a pugnacious disposition, the Phoebe does not allow another pair of the same species 

 to locate in its immediate vicinity. With other birds it rarely quarrels, but resists all 

 attempts to encroach upon its domain. Only towards one bird all its courage and 

 bravery proves in vain. This is the plebejan English Sparrow, who has a special fond- 

 ness for its beautiful mossy nest. Where numerous enough, these tramps drive the 

 rightful owner away, and take possession of its domicile. 



The nest, if built on a flat surface, like a beam or pillar, is constructed of a few 

 pellets of mud, intermixed with grasses, bark-strips, the lining consisting almost entirely 

 of fine bark-strips. The whole structure is covered with soft green moss {Hypnum)^ 

 gathered from the bark of trees. This moss imparts the nest with a striking appearance. 

 When built on a perpendicular surface, it is constructed of small pellets of mud, placed 

 in layers and mixed with flexible fibers and grasses. These layers are placed one above 

 the other, in a semi-circular form, and the outside is covered with moss. The lining 

 consists of fine straws, bark-strips, horse-hair, and sometimes a few feathers. On flat 

 surfaces the nest is circular in form and mud is often not made use of. The eggs, four 

 to five in number, are pure white and generally unspotted. Sometimes a set, sparsely 

 speckled with a dark brownish color, is found. The young are exclusively fed with 

 insects. In many cases two broods annually seem to be reared. 



During the last week of September most of the Phoebes leave Wisconsin, moving 

 slowly southward. By the 10th of October I saw them already in south-western Mis- 

 souri, and by the end of the same month they have reached south-eastern Texas. 

 I conclude this life-history with the following beautiful w^ords of Prof Robert Ridgway : 



"The Pewee or Phoebe is one of that charming coterie of the feathered tribe who 

 cheer the abode of man with their presence. Less numerous than the Chipping Sparrow, 

 the Catbird, the Barn Swallow, or even the Bluebird, there are still few farm-yai-ds 

 without a pair of Pewees, who do the farmer much service by lessening the number of flies 

 about the bam, and by calling him to his work in the morning with their cheery notes." 



NAMES: Phcebb, Pewee, Common Pewee, Pewit, Pewee Flycatcher, Phoebe-bird, Bridge-bird, Bridge Pewee, 

 Barn Pewee. — Hauspiwi (Germ.). 



SCIENTIFIC NAMES: Muscicapa phaebe Lath. (1790). SAYORNIS PHOEBE Stejn. (1885), Musckapa 

 fusca Gmel. (1788). Tyrannus fascus Nutt. (1840). Sayornia fuscus Baird (1858). Muscicapa 

 nunicola Wils. (1810). 



DESCRIPTION: Sexes, alike. "Sides of breast and upper parts, dull olive-brown, fading slightly towards 

 the tail. Top and sides of head, dark brown. A few dull white feathers on the eyelids. Lower parts, 

 dull yellowish-white, mixed with brown on the chin, and in some individuals across the breast. 

 Quills, brown, the outer primaries, secondaries, and tertials, edged with dull white. In some indi- 

 viduals the greater coverts faintly edged with dull white. Tail, brown ; outer edge of lateral feathers, 

 dull white; outer edges of the rest, like the back. Tibise, brown. Bill and feet, black. Bill, slender, 

 edges nearly straight. Tail, rather broad and slightly forked. . . 



"Length, 7.00 inches; wing, 3.42; tail, 3.30 inches." (R. Ridgway, "Ornithology of Illinois.") 



