1905 
June 17 
Phoebe 1 s 
method 
of bathin g 
COhCORD, MASSACHUSETTS 
About noon to-day I saw a Phoebe bathing in a small 
pond in the Berry Pasture. It flew from a dead branch about 
15 feet from the pond and eight feet above the ground, 
striking the surface with its breast and with such force 
as to make a rather loud sound as well as to send heavy 
ripples rolling to my part of the pond. This action was 
repeated three times at short intervals. There can be no 
question that the bird was bathing and not picking up floating 
insects for each time it returned to its perch I could see 
that it was dripping wet. After freeing its plumage from 
most of the water by a vigorous shake or two, it would preen 
its feathers for a_few moments and then take another dip. 
[_The mysterious creature in the little marsh just 
across the road from the farm-house has called once or twice 
(not more than twice) every evening since the 14th, always 
about eight o'clock and always while Tree Toads were also 
clamoring. I heard him only a few minutes ago while writing 
the above notes on the Phoebe. On this occasion his calling 
reminded me a little of that of the Olaucid ium__ 
o 
that I used to hear at * , Trinidad. The rapid, even 
utterance was similar to and the quality of the voice 
not unlike that of Glaucidium byt there were only five or 
six notes instead of a long series of them."j 
