. Useful birds and their protection. Containing brief descriptions of the more common and useful species of Massachusetts, with accounts of their food habits, and a chapter on the means of attracting and protecting birds. Birds; Birds. SONGLESS' BIRDS OF ORCHARD AND WOODLAND. 233 Phoebe. Phoebe Bird. Pewee. Bridge Pewee. Sayornis phcebe. Length. — About seven inches. Adult Male. — Above, dull olive-brown; head dark, almost blackish; sides, and often the breast, shaded with same; tail notched; bill entirely dark. — Built of mud, mossed over; grass or feather lined; placed on some beam of
. Useful birds and their protection. Containing brief descriptions of the more common and useful species of Massachusetts, with accounts of their food habits, and a chapter on the means of attracting and protecting birds. Birds; Birds. SONGLESS' BIRDS OF ORCHARD AND WOODLAND. 233 Phoebe. Phoebe Bird. Pewee. Bridge Pewee. Sayornis phcebe. Length. — About seven inches. Adult Male. — Above, dull olive-brown; head dark, almost blackish; sides, and often the breast, shaded with same; tail notched; bill entirely dark. — Built of mud, mossed over; grass or feather lined; placed on some beam of building or bridge, under the edge of a high hank or rock, or in a cave. Eggs. — "White. Season.—April to The common Phoebe is known throughout the State. It is as familiar and homelike as the Swallows, and deserves all the regard accorded it as a friend to man. This bird feeds almost entirely upon insects ; hence its pref- erence for the vicinity of water and its ap- parent fondness for streams, for in sue locations its source of food supply : augmented by the many insects that, like mosquitoes, pass the earlier part of their lives in water, and emerge later to fly about within range of the Phoebe's quick and accurate eye. Perched on a dead twig, a mullein stalk, a post, or some similar vantage point, Phcebe scans the sur- rounding space with eager eye, marking each insect that comes within her field of vision; and when her eye rests on one she covets, be it beetle, moth, or fly, she quickly leaves her perch and immolates the victim. This Flycatcher, unlike the Wood Pewee, hawks about habitually near the ground, though it often takes a higher perch and flight. While sitting it often jets the tail, throw- ing it up even higher than it is represented in the cut; but usually the tail is held low. The Phcebe utters a loud chip, and it has a variety of softer tones ; but the note most com- monly heard may be given phee'be, phee'brizzy,—the first. Please n
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