. [Collected reprints, 1895-1916. Birds. 13 THE PHCEBB. {Sayornis jihocie.) Among the early spring arrivals at the jSTorth, none are more welcome than the phcebe (fig. 7). Though naturally building its nest under au overhanging cliff of rock or earth, or iu the mouth of a cave, its prefer- ence for the vicinity of farm buildings is so marked that in tlie more thickly settled parts of the country the bird is seldom seen at any great distance from a farmhouse except where a bridge spans souje stream, affording a secure spot for a nest. Its confiding disposition has ren- dered it a great favorite
. [Collected reprints, 1895-1916. Birds. 13 THE PHCEBB. {Sayornis jihocie.) Among the early spring arrivals at the jSTorth, none are more welcome than the phcebe (fig. 7). Though naturally building its nest under au overhanging cliff of rock or earth, or iu the mouth of a cave, its prefer- ence for the vicinity of farm buildings is so marked that in tlie more thickly settled parts of the country the bird is seldom seen at any great distance from a farmhouse except where a bridge spans souje stream, affording a secure spot for a nest. Its confiding disposition has ren- dered 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 Fig. 7.—Pboeljo. The phtebe 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 consists 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. Grasshoppers 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 regularly. It is evident that a pair of phcebes must materially reduce the number of iiisects near a garden or field, as the birds often, if not always, raise two broods a year, and each brood numbers from four to six young. The vegetable portion of the food is unimportant, and consists mainly of a few seeds, with small fruits, such as wild cherries, elder berries, and. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Beal, F. E. L. (Foster Ellenborough Lascelles), 1840-1916. s. l. , s. n.
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