Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-05-11
The Pewit-Eiy catcher (sayornis Fu..
Gus. nd.

Another iirstling Of spring is the Pcwit
nycatcher or Phebe-bird. 1t is memorable
day when this little scout appears ia our
midst. the robin may be outwitted in his
calculations. but the pcwec is seldom wrong.
lie says very plainly, mo more winter this
season at least" frost and snow NAV
"hlten the landscape, but they can tairy but
brief space" I'VE saw winter retrca in ;
over the hills to the north He will soon
pisch his leuts with the snow1.rd and the
waXwlng.'
The family of J,ycatchers to which this bird
belongs is not numerous in New England.
Of the eight members, three are but rarely
seen aud only that number may said to be
very common. All are familiar with that
arch DULY and hraggart the king -j.rd, aud it
Is likely that the pheGe is well-knOwn in
person II not in name. The family history
Oh lnese bras Is not such that any of them
need be proud. As a rule they are pugna.
cious, harsh voiced, dark complexioned and
soliaryin their habits.
lhe pheoe-bIrd or pewec (for it
has variety of names is about
seven inches long. dusty Give above
with Drownish black diversified head
and rather large forked tail. He NAV
De seen hitting noselessly through the out
skirts OF the woods, Of the color of the rocks
aud trees, settling from time to time upon q
low twis. jerking his head from side to
side anu aSslduously wqyging his tail. he
looAs about for his prey. When an insect is
spied down he suddenly darts, Swapping il
up IN lnld arr and returns either to the same
lwls or seeks perch further on, thus silent
" exploring the air and sitting it of our
insect Toes, But he is less sylvan than
ms bro,hfr, the rood pe'ree, who rarely ven
lures beyond the edge of the forest.
philosopher in his way chiefly occupied with
his own thoughts, the pcwce actually saws
but iltte, basnS bis reputation upon his
good deeds. Occasionally you hear a mclan-
thoiy cheap, cdedD, chap, apparently com.
lnen' upon .he Quality II his insect fare; but
sitting ~ his own door he Golaces himself
oy repeating over and over the pleasant
hionody: pt'fee, ptiotf. ptUH, pe,res.
Inc pheJc arrived lnls year the last of
March aud pair had begun the construction
OF their dwelling before the middle of April.
Ia selecting building site the chief object is
TO secure a quarter shielded from the wind
and rain, 10 accomplish this thew make
lheir nest tndc. hrIdsca, or beneath a pro-
JecuhS lct'Sc OF r1ck, ~ the entrance of
caves, amid the stones Lining the mouth of
an old wei, or perhaps they seek the habi-
.'N'- - N''''N i"'iiiSi illAlt lDT f.la DrAtCg-
tion taan companlonship, and saddle
their NOISY beds to one Of the beams in his
shed.
a soft couch is that the phebe makes, and
constructed with great care They first Law
BROAD and high foundation of grass and
moss plasicred together, and to the beam or
rocA with pel,eta o. mud surmountlng this
WIN their symmetrical little nest, shallow and
lined WIN the softest hair and feathers.
frequently the outside is covered with a thin
layer Of gieon moSsCs. Five coulcal, cream
White eggs ileoked with u little brown. pcr
maps, are duly laid. and In two weeks time,
II her retreat be not invaded, the phebe
matches her first brood. This may be followed
by second later in the season, and where
| he summer admits, by third. These birds
have decided preference for the water and
every bridge which crosses country stream
Is almost certain 10 conceal one al least OF
Their coy nests, and the male Is often Seen
sitting upon the rail, keeping guard
The phebe has little to recommend him i'm
outward appearance, being as awkward aud
as plainly dressed u bird as we have, but he
is beloved for cGI,;rg go c.r,y 70 .c-
mud ~ OF the dissolution OF wTnter. They
commence their return journey in October,
gong as far south as Florida Wilson
saw lien, Ia the swampy woods OF North
and South Carolina in February, feeding
lpOn the berries of tho smllax