The Bird Book Part 60

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454b. LOWER CALIFORNIA FLYCATCHER. _Myiarchus cinerascens pertinax._

Range.--Lower California.

This sub-species is similar to Nutting Flycatcher but paler below and grayish above.

455a. OLIVACEOUS FLYCATCHER. _Myiarchus lawrencei olivascens._

Range.--Western Mexico, north to southern Arizona.

This is the smallest of the genus found in the United States, being but 7 inches in length. Except for size it is similar to _crinitus_ but with very little, if any, rusty brown on tail, except for a slight edging on the outer web. Their nesting sites are the same as those chosen by the other Crested Flycatcher, but their eggs appear to have but little of the scratchy appearance of the other members. They are pale buffy, speckled and spotted with brown and lilac; size .80 .60.

Data.--Toluca, Mexico, May 20, 1895. Nest of brown hair and feathers, in hole in tree in woods. Collector, Fred T. Francis.

456. PHBE.. _Sayornis phbe._

Range.--North America, east of the Rockies and north to Nova Scotia.

These very common, grayish colored birds are very often known as "Bridge Birds" because of the frequency with which they construct their nests under bridges and arches; they also build in crevices in ledges or among the hanging roots near the tops of embankments, and on the rafters or beams of old buildings. The nests are made of mud, moss and gra.s.s, lined with feathers. The four or five eggs measure .75 .55. Occasionally, eggs will be found that have a few minute spots of reddish brown. Freak situations in which to locate their nests are often chosen by these birds, such as the brake beam of a freight car, in the crevices of old wells, hen houses, etc. The birds are one of the most useful that we have; being very active and continually on the alert for insects and beetles that const.i.tute their whole bill of fare.

[Ill.u.s.tration 289: Buffy.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Phbe.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: White.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: right hand margin.]

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[Ill.u.s.tration 290: G. E. Moulthrope.

PHOEBE ON NEST.]

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457. Say's Phbe. _Sayornis sayus._

Range.--Western United States, breeding from southern United States, north to the Arctic regions, and from Kansas and Wisconsin westward.

Winters in Mexico.

This bird is slightly larger than the last (7.5 inches long), and is rusty brown color on the belly and lower breast. Like the eastern Phbes they are one of the earliest birds to return in the spring and are abundant in the greater parts of their range. Like the latter, they often raise two broods a season, one in April and another in July. Their nests are generally placed on narrow shelves and crevices of ledges, but they also nest as commonly about houses and farms as does the eastern bird. The nests are made of weeds, mosses, fibres and wool, and are quite flat. They lay four or five white eggs. Size .78 x .58.

458. BLACK PHBE. _Sayornis nigricans._

Range.--Mexico and north in summer into the bordering States.

This species is of the size of the last but is blackish (darkest on the head and breast), with a white belly and under tail coverts, the latter streaked with dusky. Their habits and nesting habits are the same as those of the eastern Phbe, they building their nests of mud, moss, weeds and feathers on ledges or about buildings, and generally close to or in the vicinity of water. They breed during April or May, laying four or five white eggs which cannot be distinguished from those of the common Phbe. Size .75 x .55.

458a. WESTERN BLACK PHBE. _Sayornis nigricans semiatra._

Range.--Pacific Coast of Mexico and the United States, breeding north to Oregon.

This variety differs from the last in having the under tail coverts pure white. Its nesting habits are precisely the same and the eggs indistinguishable.

[Ill.u.s.tration 291: 457-458.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: White.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: White.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: deco.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: right hand margin.]

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459. OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER. _Nuttallornis borealis._

Range.--Whole of North America, breeding from the Middle States and California northward, and in the Rockies, south to Mexico; winters south of the United States.

These Flycatchers are nowhere abundant, and in some parts of the country, especially in the middle portion, they are very rare. They breed very locally and generally not more than one pair in any locality.

In New England, I have always found them nesting in company with Parula Warblers, in dead coniferous swamps in which the branches are covered with long pendant moss. Their nests are placed high up in the trees, generally above fifty feet from the ground, and on small horizontal limbs; they are made of small twigs and rootlets, lined with finer rootlets and moss, and are very flat and shallow; as they are generally made to match the surrounding, they are one of the most difficult nests to find. They lay three or four cream colored eggs which are spotted with reddish brown and lilac, chiefly about the large end. Size .85 x .65. Data.--Lake Quinsigamond, Ma.s.sachusetts, June 12, 1897. Nest of twigs and moss, about 60 feet above the ground, in a dead pine tree in center of a large wet swamp. Nest could not be seen from the ground, and was found by watching the birds.

[Ill.u.s.tration 292: Olive-sided Flycatcher.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Creamy white.]

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: left hand margin.]

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460. COUES'S FLYCATCHER. _Myiochanes pertinax pallidiventris._

Range.--Western Mexico, breeding north to central Arizona.

This Flycatcher builds one of the most artistic nests created by feathered creatures. It bears some resemblance on the exterior to that of the next species, but it is much more firmly made, and the walls are usually higher, making a very deeply cupped interior. The outside of the nest is made of fibres, cobwebs, catkins, etc., firmly felted together and ornamented with green lichens to match the limb upon which it is saddled. The interior is heavily lined with dried, yellowish gra.s.ses, making a very strong contrast to the exterior. They are fairly abundant birds in the ranges of southern Arizona, where they nest generally during June. They lay three eggs of a rich creamy color, spotted and blotched, chiefly about the larger end, with reddish brown and lilac gray. Size .95 x .61. Data.--Huachuca Mts., Arizona, July 8, 1897. 3 eggs. Nest in a yellow pine about 60 feet up and near the extremity of a long slender limb. Elevation 7000 feet. Collector, O. W. Howard.

461. WOOD PEWEE. _Myiochanes virens._

Range.--North America, east of the Plains and north to the southern parts of the British Provinces. Winters south of the United States.

This is one of the best known and one of the most common frequenters of open woods, where all summer long its pleasing notes may be heard, resembling "Pee-a-wee" or sometimes only two syllables "pee-wee." They nest on horizontal limbs at elevations of six feet or over, making handsome nests of plant fibres and fine gra.s.ses, covered on the exterior with lichens; they are quite shallow and very much resembles a small knot on the limb of the tree. They lay three or four eggs of a cream color spotted in a wreath about the large end, with reddish brown and lavender; size .80 x .55. Data.--Torrington, Conn., June 16, 1890. Nest of fibres covered with lichens, saddled on the branch of an oak tree near roadside. Collector, John Gath.

[Ill.u.s.tration 293: Cream color.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Wood Pewee.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Cream color.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Chickadee Family.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: right hand margin.]

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