640 
A YEAR WITH THE BIRDS 
of insects mostly of an injurious species; (2) that the alleged 
habit of preying on honey bees is less prevalent than has been 
supposed; (3) and that the vegetable food consists almost 
entirely of wild fruit. These facts, taken in connection with 
its well-known enmity for Hawks and Crows, entitle the 
Kingbird to a place among the most desirable birds of the 
orchard and garden.” — F. E. L. Beal. 
Phoebe: Sayornis phoebe 
Water Pezvee 
Plate VII Fig. 2 
Length: 6.75-7-25 inches. . 
Male and Female: Above deep olive-brown; straight black bill. Outer 
edges of some tail feathers whitish; an erectile crest. Beneath 
dingy yellowish white ; feet black. 
Note: “ Phoebee, phoebee, pewit, phoebee! ” 
Season: April to October. Common summer resident. 
Nest: In its native woods the nest is of moss, mud, and grass brack- 
eted on a rock, near or over running water ; but in the vicinity of 
settlements and villages it is placed on a horizontal bridge beam, 
timber supporting porch or shed. 
Eggs: Pure white, somewhat spotted. 
Among the earlv spring arrivals at the north, none are more 
welcome than the Phoebe. Though naturally building its nest 
under an overhanging cliff of rock or earth, or in the mouth of a 
cave, its preference for the vicinity of farm buildings is so 
marked that in the more thickly settled parts of the country the 
bird is seldom seen at any great distance from a farmhouse ex- 
cept where a bridge spans some stream, affording a secure spot 
for a nest. Its confiding disposition has rendered it a great 
favorite, and consequently it is seldom disturbed. It breeds 
throughout the United States east of the Great Plains, and 
winters from the South Atlantic and Gulf States southward. 
The Phoebe subsists almost exclusively upon insects, most 
of which are caught upon the wing. An examination of 80 
stomachs showed that over 93 per cent, of the year’s food con- 
sists of insects and spiders, while wild fruit constitutes the 
remainder. The insects belong chiefly to noxious species, and 
include many click beetles, May beetles, and weevils. Grass- 
hoppers in their season are eaten to a considerable extent, 
while wasps of various species, many flies of species that 
annoy cattle, and a few bugs and spiders are also eaten regu- 
larly. It is evident that a pair of Phoebes must materially 
