41(5 BULLETIN 195, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



green, "pale Nile blue," or "beryl blue," or "pale turquoise green." 

 These colors fade considerably in collections, as well as in the nests ; 

 fresh eggs in the nest may be somewhat more deeply colored than as 

 above indicated. 



The markings are usually fine pinpoints, or very small spots, more 

 or less evenly distributed over the whole egg or concentrated about 

 the larger end, sometimes forming a ring; some eggs are nearly im- 

 maculate. The markings are in shades of pale brown, reddish brown, 

 or yellowish brown. Dr. Grinnell (1933) says from "Mars Brown" 

 (darkest) to "Pale Purple Vinaceous" [lightest]. Rarely, the spots 

 are large enough to be called blotches. Dr. Mearns (1886) says that 

 one egg "has large blotches of yellowish-brown and lavender sparingly 

 scattered over the egg, a few extending nearly to the small extremity." 



The measurements of 50 eggs average 27.6 by 19.7 millimeters ; the 

 eggs showing the four extremes measure 29.9 by 21.2 and 24.3 by 18.3 

 millimeters. 



Young. — The period of incubatipn for LeConte's thrasher does not 

 seem to have been determined, and we apparently do not know just 

 how long the young remain in the nest. But we do know that both 

 the male and the female help to build the nest and share in the incuba- 

 tion of the eggs, and both work in the feeding and care of the young. 

 The breeding season is a long one, and at least two broods are ordi- 

 narily raised in a season. 



Plmnages. — Ridgway (1907) says that the juvenal plumage is "sim- 

 ilar to the spring and summer adult plumage but slightly paler, 

 especially on rump; under parts more bulFy with under tail-coverts 

 much paler buff ; upper tail-coverts pale wood brown or Isabella color." 

 In spring and summer adult plumage the upper parts are between 

 "drab-gray" and "ecru-drab," and the under tail coverts are deep 

 buff or "pale ochraceous-buff." In fall and winter plumage adults 

 have the "color of upper parts deeper and grayer (soft drab-gray) ; 

 chest (br.oadly) light drab-gray, strongly contrasted with the white 

 of the throat, and breast and upper abdomen duller, more buffy 

 whitish." I have seen specimens in full juvenal plumage as early 

 as April 7, and one taken May 16 that was beginning the postjuvenal 

 molt. I have examined adults in full postnuptial molt on July 5 and 

 on August 7. 



Food. — The stomach of a specimen sent to William Brewster (1882a) 

 is said to have "contained a small species of katydid and some ants." 

 This seems to be the only published item on the food of this species. 



Behavior. — LeConte's thrasher is a decidedly terrestrial species. As 

 we drive across the level floor of the desert, we may see a long, slim, 

 dull, clay-colored bird running swiftly ahead of us or dodging out 

 of sight among the low creosote bushes, or perhaps making short 

 zigzag flights close to the ground or just over the tops of the bushes, 



