SAGE THRASHER. 

 702. Orcoacoptes montanus. 8% inches. 



This species is often known as the Mountain Mocking- 

 bird because of the brilliance of its song, a very varied 

 performance, long continued and mocking that of many 

 other species. They inhabit sage-brush regions and are 

 partial to the lower portions of the country, although 

 frequently met in open mountains. They are not shy 

 and can readily be located by their voices. 



Nest. — In bushes, especially the sage and cactus; a 

 loose structure made of bark-strips, small twigs and 

 coarse grasses, lined with fine rootlets. The three or 

 four eggs have a rich greenish-blue ground, spotted with 

 bright reddish brown (.95 x .70). 



Range. — Sage-brush regions of western United States 

 from the Plains to the Pacifio: winters in Mexico and 

 Lower California. 



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