Part 33

SAY PHŒBE. 457. Sayornis sayus. 8 inches.

The Phoebe is a bird that will select for its nesting place the heavy beam of some old bridge, or in some old mill where the timbers are falling down, and place its nest in some dark corner, building it of mud, moss and grasses lined with feathers, or in some localities the nests may be placed in the crevice of some cliff or ledge where they lay four or five white eggs, rarely dotted with brown.

It is slightly larger than the eastern variety, with the under parts showing more of a brownish color, and is found breeding from the Arctic to Lower California.

BLACK PHŒBE. 458. Sayornis nigricans. 7 inches.

Slightly smaller than the above, and much darker, almost black on the head and back with white under parts. Their habits are very much the same as above, frequenting old buildings in villages where a stream is near by, or in localities where insect life abounds. Their nest is made the same as above, and eggs are the same.

OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER. 459. Nuttallornis borealis. 7½ inches.

These are nowhere abundant, and in some parts of the country, especially in the central portions, they are very rare. In the western range, they may be found from Alaska to southern California; for breeding places they seem to prefer swampy land, covered with many dead coniferous trees, mixed in with the green trees; their nests are placed well up in the trees and are made of twigs, loosely put together, and lined with small roots and moss. The three or four creamy white eggs are spotted with brown and lilac, forming about the larger end (.85 × .65).

WESTERN WOOD PEWEE. 462. Myiochanes richardsoni. 6½ inches.

Very much like the eastern variety in looks and habits. To be found breeding from Alaska to Lower California. Their nests are placed on horizontal branches, made of plant down, grass and fibers; very compact, and much resembling a knot on the branch. Three or four white eggs with small spots about the larger end (.80 × .55).

WESTERN FLYCATCHER. 464. Empidonax difficilis. 6 inches.

Very much like the last, but having more of the yellow cast on the under parts; it may be found breeding from Alaska to southern California. Its favorite nesting place is along some stream, bordered with willows or alders, and the nest is placed on the lower branches near the ground; it is nicely made of fibers and plant down; three or four white eggs, spotted with brown (.80 × .55).

TRAILL FLYCATCHER. 466. Empidonax trailli. 6 inches.

Upper parts an olive brown, becoming darker on the head; under parts white, and also a white ring about the eye; two wing-bars a pale buff color, and the breast a light gray. They seem to prefer much the same localities for their nesting site as do the “Western.”

Nest.—Is usually built very low in willows or alders, bordering brooks or ponds, and is made of plant fibers, lined with the down, and sometimes horsehair; three or four creamy white eggs are marked with blotches of brown about the larger end (.70 × .54).

HAMMOND FLYCATCHER. 468. Empidonax hammondi. 5½ inches.

A western form of the “Least Flycatcher” of the east, differing but very little in appearance or habits from its eastern relative. Upper parts an olive gray color, with the breast the same, but a little lighter. Their nesting place is usually a fork of some small tree, or upon some horizontal branch at low elevation, and is a nicely woven, compact structure, made of plant fibers, strings, hair and cobwebs. Three to five pale creamy white eggs (.65 × .50).

WRIGHT FLYCATCHER. 469. Empidonax wrighti. 6 inches.

Similar to the last, but much lighter below. They are much more abundant than the last, and are found from Oregon to Mexico, where they breed more in open woods and thickets. Their nests and eggs are practically the same in every way.

GRAY FLYCATCHER. 469.1. Empidonax griseus. 6½ inches.

This slightly larger species is more grayish above, and lighter below. It is found in Arizona and Mexico, into southern California. No record of its nesting habits or eggs can be given.

BUFF-BREASTED FLYCATCHER. 470a. Empidonax fulvifrons pygmæus. 5 inches.

This small variety is not at all common in any locality, but is found in Arizona, Mexico and Lower California, to southern California. It is brownish gray above and of a buff color below. The nests are placed similar to the preceding, but more in the mountain regions; eggs are the same, being a trifle larger.

VERMILION FLYCATCHER. 471. Pyrocephalus rubinus mexicanus. 6 inches.

This is one of the most brilliant colored of the Flycatcher family, as shown in the illustration. The female is almost of an entirely light gray color, barely tinged with pink on the under parts. They are very common in southern Texas, Arizona and New Mexico.

Nest.—This is one of the prettiest nests made, generally of twigs and plant fiber, lined with down, wool and feathers, and frequently covered with lichens, held in place by a winding of cobwebs; three or four buff eggs, boldly blotched with brown and lavender (.70 × .50).

BEARDLESS FLYCATCHER. 472. Camptostoma imberbe. 5 inches.

A light gray bird, found in Texas and south, into Central America.

PALLID HORNED LARK—Family Alaudidæ. 474a. Otocoris alpestris arcticola. 8½ inches.