FLYCATCHERS 



(459) Nuttallornis borealis 



(Swains.) (Nuttall, Gr., a bird; Lat., 

 northern). 



OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER. 



Olivaceous-brown above, darker on 

 the head where the feathers are in- 

 cHned to have blackish centres; 

 throat and line down the middle of 

 the belly whitish or j'ellowish; rest 

 of under parts streaked grayish, 

 strongly tinted with oHve on the 

 flanks; a tuft of very fluffy, downy 

 white feathers on either side of the 

 flanks, usually entirely concealed 

 by the folded wings. L., 7.50; W., 

 4.00; T., 3.00; B., .70. Nest — Shal- 

 lowly made of twigs and mosses; 

 three to five cream-colored eggs, 

 spotted about the large end. 



Range — Breeds from Quebec, 

 Mackenzie and Alaska south to Mass., 

 N. Y., Mich, and Cal. 



however, their gruff notes, resembling "phe-be" as much as 

 anything else, are given with an emphasis and an energetic 

 flirt of the tail worthy of better results. 



If a Phoebe were given free choice of nesting sites, I do 

 not doubt that it wotild choose a bridge or culvert over some 

 small stream; few such places are without their Phoebe 

 tenants, provided that underneath there are projections 

 upon which the nest may be placed. Ledges, beneath over- 

 hanging banks, ruins of buildings or old cellar holes, also 

 furnish likely places to find their homes. The nests are 

 composed chiel^y of mud and moss, lined with grass, hair, 

 and feathers. The young remain in the nest about two weeks 

 after hatching; sometimes their maiden flights have to be 

 performed under great difficulties; any hesitation or error 

 of judgment may precipitate them into the water to become 

 prey to a possibly lurking trout in the pool below. 



OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHERS are widely distributed, 

 but in the east breed only along our northern border and the 

 southern edge of Canada. 



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