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Phœbe: Sayornis phœbe.

Water Pewee.

Plate. 42. Fig. 1.

Length: 6.75-7.25 inches.

Male and Female: Above deep olive-brown; straight black bill. Outer edges of some tail feathers whitish; an erectile crest. Beneath dingy yellowish white; feet black.

Note: "Phœbee, phœbee, pewit, phœbée!"

Season: April to October. Common summer resident.

Breeds: From the Carolinas northward.

Nest: In its native woods the nest is of moss, mud, and grass bracketed on a rock, near or over running water; but in the vicinity of settlements and villages, it is placed on a horizontal bridge beam, timber supporting porch or shed.

Eggs: Pure white, somewhat spotted.

Range: Eastern North America, from the British Provinces south to eastern Mexico and Cuba, wintering from the South Atlantic and Gulf States southward.

The cheerful Phoebe, the first to come and the last to leave of its tribe, can be distinguished by its sociability as well as its musical cry. To those who are familiar with the domestic Phobe, who builds his bulky moss nest at their very door, and who associate him with the Wren in his love of nooks in the outbuildings, it will seem strange to know that in his primitive state he haunts dim woods and running water. The domesticated Phoebe is a great bather, and may be seen in the half-light dashing in and out of the water as he makes trips to and from his nest.

Here in the garden this bird frequently exhibits its love of water, and after the young are hatched in the various nests, both old and young repair to a maple near the pool, and disport themselves about the water until moulting-time. It is very amusing to watch them as they flash down, one by one, for a dip or an insect, taking both on the wing without a pause.

Do not let the Phoebes build under the hoods of your win. dows, for their spongy nests harbour innumerable bird-lice, and under such circumstances your fly-screens will become infested and the house invaded

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