FLYCATCHERS 263 



Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Canadian zones in British Co- 

 lumbia and the western United JStates from Orej^on and Montana to the 

 eastern shapes of the Kot-ky Mountains and south to New Mexico and Ari- 

 zona ; migrates to Lower California and southern Mexico. 



Xest. — Fastened to twigs or against the trunk of saplings, or in up- 

 rig-ht forks of bushes from li to IS feet from the ground, made of plant 

 fibers and strips of bark, partially lined with feathers, lu^ir. and some- 

 times tree moss. Erjf^s : '•] to ."), dull white, unspotted. 



Food. — Insects, spiders, and caterpillars. 



Ill the Groat Basin couutry icriyJitii is as much at home in the 

 sagebrush as most other species of Empidona.v are in shady woods 

 or around grassy meadows. His trim little form is often noticed on 

 top of a sagebrush by the roadside, sometimes far from water, but 

 more often within reach of pond or stream. A favorite place for 

 the nest is in tlie fork of a sage. 



When found in the mountains wrightii is usually in the open or 

 half forested parks, brushy slopes, old burnings, or edges of aspen 

 groves. ' Vernon Bati.ey. 



469.1- Empidonax griseus Brticst. Gkay Flycatcher. 



Nearest to irriqittii. but larger and much grayer, washed with darker on 

 chest; bill longer, basal lialf of lower mandible flesh colored in strong 

 contrast to blackish tip. 



Distribution- — From the southern part of California and Arizona 

 through Lower California aiul Sonera, Mexico, to the southern end of the 

 tablelands. 



Ne.'it and eggs. — Unknown. 



In Mr. Grinnell's list of the birds of Los Angeles County he gives 

 some interesting records for the little known gray flycatcher. He 

 thinks it can be found in some parts of the county throughout the 

 year. A few specimens have been taken in fall, winter, and. spring 

 near Pasa<k'na and El Monte, and in July Mr. Grinnell found it at 

 an altitude of from 7."300 to S.IOO feet on the side of Mt. "Waterman. 

 There, he sjiys, it was 'not uncommon though very shy. keeping 

 in the tallest piiu'S on the mountain sides.' He .securetl full fledged 

 young as early as July 11. 



470a. Empidonax fulvifrons pygmaeus (Cowr.s). Bifk- 

 I'.in AsTiu Fi.vcA r( ni:i{. 



.\(hilts. — Upper p.irts dull gravisli brown; wing- b.irs grayish; under 

 parts ]i;ile l)iifl'v. waslicd with ocbr.ieeoiis on bre.ist .md sides. YoKug ; 

 wing^ bands l)utl' : lower parts p.-iler .md diilb'r. Ltngtii: 4.T'»-"». U^ wing" 

 2.*J(»-J.4'), tail 1.1>.'>--_M4, bill ..")0-..V). bill fn.ni nostril .-J.V.JT, width at base 

 .2()-.'JL', tarsus .Hl-.r,!*. 



Distribution. — Breeds from southwestern New Mexico and .Vri/ona 

 soutli t«» Wfstern Mexico. 



.West. — In forks or on branches ol) to •")() feet from the ground, about 

 the size and shape of a blue-jjray g-natcatcher's ; made of bits of soft leaves. 



