IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE 
207 
Phoede. This cheery little flycatcher, the first to come and the last to, leave 
of its tribe, is well known to all those living in the outskirts of our city or on 
the farms throughout the country. 
The phoebe is a favorite because of its confiding sociability and cheerful 
habits. From its arrival early in April until its departure late in October, U is 
constantly to be seen and heard as it flits about catching food or building its 
spongy nest of mud, moss and grass. These nests are bracketed on rocks near 
running water in the woods, or on rafters or supporting beams of barns, 
bridges, porches and other buildings. They frequently harbor bird lice in 
large numbers and are therefore very objectionable about a house. 
Wood Pewee. Though not a songbird, the wood pewee has a plaintive little 
strain truly musical. 
The wood pewee is a very common resident here from May until October 
and can be found in nearly every strip of woods within the county. 
Its nest is a flat, lichen covered, mossy home, saddled to a woodland limb 
slightly softened by decay and growing moss, on which the little nest seems 
but a knot. 
Least Flycatcher. This smallest of its tribe is not found in Polk county in 
very great abundance. His season and habits correspond with the other fly- 
catchers except that his nest is built in an upright crotch of bush or tree and is 
composed mostly of plant fibers, weeds and a lining of down or horsehair. 
This little fellow is usually to be found in orchards during May and Sep- 
tember when he can be most easily found and recognized. 
OEDER MACEOCHIRES: SWIFTS, WHIP-POOR-WILLS, ETC. 
Whip-poor-will. A strange, weird bird of the night, the whip-poor-will is 
much less common in this vicinity than its close relative, the nighthawk. 
The whip-poor-will arrives here late in April and leaves about the first of 
October. Its food consists of night flying insects and moths, which it catches 
on the wing. 
The whip-poor-will builds no nest but lays its eggs in a mossy hollow on the 
ground, usually a good distance from any large number of houses, though often 
near farm building in secluded nooks. 
Nighthawk. In all its habits, the nighthawk is so like the whip-poor-will as 
to need almost no further description. It is a very common resident of Polk 
county and may often be seen flying about in the evening even far down into 
the city. Its harsh cry is readily recognized and never to be confused with 
the distinct cry of the whip-poor-will. 
The nighthawk has been known often to lay its eggs on the flat roofs of 
buildings in the city, and though I have never known of that occurring in Des 
Moines, it is by no means improbable. 
Chimney Swift. Another bird gaining its food while on the wing, yet neither 
a fly-catcher nor a swallow nor a close relative of the whip-poor-will, the chim- 
ney swift is also one of our feathered wonders. 
He flies and catches his food equally well by night or day, and his loud 
twitter can be heard nearly any time during the summer. 
The chimney swift is never seen to perch like other birds, or indeed to alight 
anywhere except within chimneys or hollow trees. Its claws and tail feathers 
(the shaft of which extends three-fourths of an inch beyond the vanes) are 
