SAY PHŒBE. 457. Sayornis sayus. 8 inches.
The Phoebe is a bird that will select for its nesting place the heavy beam of some old bridge, or in some old mill where the timbers are falling down, and place its nest in some dark corner, building it of mud, moss and grasses lined with feathers, or in some localities the nests may be placed in the crevice of some cliff or ledge where they lay four or five white eggs, rarely dotted with brown.
It is slightly larger than the eastern variety, with the under parts showing more of a brownish color, and is found breeding from the Arctic to Lower California.
BLACK PHŒBE. 458. Sayornis nigricans. 7 inches.
Slightly smaller than the above, and much darker, almost black on the head and back with white under parts. Their habits are very much the same as above, frequenting old buildings in villages where a stream is near by, or in localities where insect life abounds. Their nest is made the same as above, and eggs are the same.
OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER. 459. Nuttallornis borealis. 7½ inches.
These are nowhere abundant, and in some parts of the country, especially in the central portions, they are very rare. In the western range, they may be found from Alaska to southern California; for breeding places they seem to prefer swampy land, covered with many dead coniferous trees, mixed in with the green trees; their nests are placed well up in the trees and are made of twigs, loosely put together, and lined with small roots and moss. The three or four creamy white eggs are spotted with brown and lilac, forming about the larger end (.85 × .65).
WESTERN WOOD PEWEE. 462. Myiochanes richardsoni. 6½ inches.
Very much like the eastern variety in looks and habits. To be found breeding from Alaska to Lower California. Their nests are placed on horizontal branches, made of plant down, grass and fibers; very compact, and much resembling a knot on the branch. Three or four white eggs with small spots about the larger end (.80 × .55).
WESTERN FLYCATCHER. 464. Empidonax difficilis. 6 inches.
Very much like the last, but having more of the yellow cast on the under parts; it may be found breeding from Alaska to southern California. Its favorite nesting place is along some stream, bordered with willows or alders, and the nest is placed on the lower branches near the ground; it is nicely made of fibers and plant down; three or four white eggs, spotted with brown (.80 × .55).