398 LAND BIRDS 



is not uncommon to find the family keeping together, and 

 by September they have joined bands flitting southward 

 for the winter. 



The call-note of this species is a clear, sweet whistle 

 like an interrogative " who-ee ? " and is heard oftenest 

 during spring and fall, when the migrating flocks are 

 feeding along the way. In quality it is not unlike the 

 fall call of the bob-white, but much thinner in tone. 



620. PHAINOPEPLA. — Phainopepla nitens. 



Family : The Waxwings and Phainopeplas. 



Length: 7.00-7.75. 



Adult Male : Plumage uniform ' glossy blue-black, except for white 



patch on inner webs of })rimaries ; a long thin crest on crown. Winter 



plumage similar, but many feathers bordered with white. 

 Adult Female, and Young : Brownish gray, rather pale on under parts. 

 Geographical Distribution : Arid region of Mexico and contiguous parts of 



United States from Western Texas to Southern California. 

 California Breeding Range : Aiid lower Sonoran zone. 

 Breeding Season: May to July. 

 Nest: Saucer-shaped, rather compact; of plant fibres, weed stems, twigs, 



and plant down ; usually in pepper or oak trees, or bunches of 



mistletoe. 

 Eggs : 2 or 3 ; dull grayish white, thickly spotted with a neutral tint, 



dark brown and purple. Size 0.89 X 0.69. 



If, when driving through the streets of Redlands or 

 Riverside, you see a slender bird of iridescent black plu- 

 mage with a striking black crest, feasting on the rose- 

 colored berries of the pepper trees, or sailing through 

 the air, his conspicuous white wing-patches standing 

 out like sails, be sure that it is the wonderful Phaino- 

 pepla, one of the most interesting of Western birds. It 

 is a common resident throughout Southern California, and 



