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456. Phoebe, bridge pewee. Sayomis phoebe. L, 6-99. Plate XLI A. One 
of the larger Flycatchers, but much smaller than any of the preceding. All above, uniform, 
dull olive; dull white below, without any distinctive colour marks. 
Distinctions. The small, greenish Flycatchers are perhaps the most difficult of Ameri- 
can birds to separate. Fortunately, each has a typical habitat and a characteristic note, 
which are both good guides to differentiation in the field. The Phoebe is, next to the Olive- 
sided, the largest of these small, dull-coloured Flycatchers, and the most easy to recognize. 
It is most likely to be confused with the two Wood Pewees, but its legs and feet are larger 
and stouter. 
Field Marks. The head of the Phoebe is generally a little darker, and in stronger 
contrast with the body, than in other Flycatchers. The sidewise sweep of tail and unbarred 
wings are characteristic. The note, however, a quickly uttered “Phoe-be ,> with strong 
accent on the first syllable, is the best field mark. The Wood-Pewee’s note is long-drawn 
out and that of the Least is short and explosive. The habitat, about bridges and culverts, 
or in the vicinity of bams and buildings, is very suggestive of identity. 
Nesting. A large structure of mud, moss, and grasses under bridges, or the overhangs 
of buildings or ledges of rock. 
Distribution. Eastern North America. In Canada, west through the Prairie Provinces, 
northward in the woodlands. 
No place suits the Phoebe so well for nesting as the flat timber or 
projecting ledges of an old bridge over some little stream where the moist 
air abounds in insect food. In many parts of the country there is scarcely 
a bridge but has its pair of Phoebes in the summer. However, the mud 
nests are not restricted to bridges but are plastered on the slightest projec- 
tion under the eaves of an outbuilding or even under the family porch. 
It is a friendly, familiar bird and comes close to man wherever it finds a 
welcome. Unfortunately its large, untidy looking nests are occasionally the 
dwelling place of innumerable parasites, in other words, bird-lice. The 
usual course when they appear is to knock the nest down with a stick and 
apply boiling water. The application of common insect powder to the 
nest is better, for this will kill the parasites and help to retain about the 
house a confiding and attractive bird. 
It is reassuring to know, however, that bird-lice will not remain on the 
human body, the temperature of which is not high enough for them. 
457. Say's Phoebe. Sayomis sayus. L. 7-50. Plate XLI B. A large, phoebe- 
like bird; grey brown, rather than olive-brown above, with head scarcely darkening. Grey- 
ish breast, and underparts suffused with rusty ochre. 
Distinctions. An even grey-brown bird with abdomen washed with rusty ochre, fading 
away on dull grey throat. Can be mistaken for no other Canadian species. 
Field Marks. A Flycatcher, haunting bams, outbuildings, and cliffs. Even ashy 
brown in colour, similar in contour and poise to the Arkansas Kingbird, but much smaller 
and darker head; dark brick colour below instead of yellow. 
Nesting. A large structure of moss, lined with vegetable fibre, fur, or feathers, on the 
sheltered beam of a building or in an horizontal cleft in a cliff. 
Distribution. Western North America, from central Alaska and Mackenzie, south to 
New Mexico. In Canada, east to southwestern Manitoba, where it seems to be a compara- 
tively recent arrival. 
Around farm buildings in the west, Say's Phoebe largely takes the 
place of the Phoebe in the east, but it also frequents the most arid and 
lonely spots. No coulee, bad lands, or mountain gorge is too dry, or desolate 
to harbour a pair. About the tool-house of the farm, the freight sheds of a 
railway, or the heated exposures of rock-slide or cliff, they are equally at home. 
459. Olive-sided Flycatcher. NiUtallornis borealis. L, 7 • 39. The largest of the 
Olive-green Flycatchers. Much like the Phoebe (Plate XLI A), but larger and the olive 
less clear (blacker), and with extensive masses of dark colour on either side of the chest 
generally meeting in a narrow band across breast. 
