Range. - Mexico and north in summer into the bordering States.

This species is of the size of the last but is blackish (darkest on the head and breast), with a white belly and under tail coverts, the latter streaked with dusky. Their habits and nesting habits are the same as those of the eastern

Phoebe, they building their nests of mud, moss, weeds and feathers on ledges or about buildings, and generally close to or in the vicinity of water. They breed during April or May, laying four or five white eggs which cannot be distinguished from those of the common Phoebe. Size .75 x .55.

White.

457-458

White.

458a. Western Black Phoebe. Sayornis Nigricans Semiatra

Range. - Pacific Coast of Mexico and the United States, breeding north to Oregon.

This variety differs from the last in having the under tail coverts pure white. Its nesting habits are precisely the same and the eggs indistinguishable.