. A manual of the ornithology of the United States and of Canada [microform]. Birds; Oiseaux. PEWIT nVCATCIlEn, OR PIKEBB. 279. PHCEBE. ft. BoHAP. M. nvnciola, iseum, No. fitilS.) m the head; beneath ite, extending an inch xterior feather whitish loiitinent of North retiring from the pproach of winter. L tliis season is not loubt, winter in the ivv tliem in Februa- iarolina, where tliey occasionally even in the winter, and ed in an extensive lina to Florida and Alabama, I never heard or met with an individual of the species. This faithful messenger of spring returns to Pennsylva- nia as early
. A manual of the ornithology of the United States and of Canada [microform]. Birds; Oiseaux. PEWIT nVCATCIlEn, OR PIKEBB. 279. PHCEBE. ft. BoHAP. M. nvnciola, iseum, No. fitilS.) m the head; beneath ite, extending an inch xterior feather whitish loiitinent of North retiring from the pproach of winter. L tliis season is not loubt, winter in the ivv tliem in Februa- iarolina, where tliey occasionally even in the winter, and ed in an extensive lina to Florida and Alabama, I never heard or met with an individual of the species. This faithful messenger of spring returns to Pennsylva- nia as early as the first week in March, remains till October, and .sometimes nearly to the middle of Novem- ber. In Masachusetts, they arrive about the beginning of April, and at chiefly frequent the woods. Their favorite resort is near streams, ponds, or .stag- nant waters, about bridges, caves, and barns, where they choose to brood ; and, in short, wherever there is a good for obtaining their insect food. Near such places our little hunter sits on tlie roof of some out-build- ing, on a stake of the fence, or a projecting branch, call- ing out, at short intervals, and in a rapid manner phebi phihh, and at times in a more plaintive tone pka-h^-ec- This quaint and querulous note, occasionally approaching to a warble, sometimes also sounds like pvwait pewait, and thenjje-wni-ee, aho, p/tehi phe-bei-ce, twice alternat^, the latter phrase .somewhat soft and twittering. In the spring this not unpleasing guttural warble is kept up for hours together, until late in the morning, and though not loud, may be heard to a considerable distance. From a roof I have heard these notes full half a mile across the water of a small lake ; and this cheerful, though monoto- nous ditty, is only interrupted for a few seconds, as the performer darts and sweeps after his retreating prey of flies, frequently flirting and quivering his tail and ele- vating his feathery cap, while sharply watching the
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, booksubjectbirds, booksubjectoisea, bookyear1832
