86 



THE OSPREY. 



THE BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER. 

 By William PALMER, Washington, D. C. 



Owing to its small size and swamp loving 

 habits, the Blue-gray Gnatcher. Polioptila ca- 

 rulea, is a comparatively little known bird about 

 Washington. 



In spring it is rarely seen about the fields and 

 away from swamps, but in the late summer they 

 may be found, especially among low old field 

 pines, in family flocks, which soon make their 

 way southwards, and are rarely seen after the 



with the birds of Washington, I had seen but a 

 single nest and could learn of only two others. 

 The best collection of local eggs did not contain 

 it and there were no local specimens in the 

 National Museum Collection, so this year. 1892, 

 I determined to fill this gap in its local history 

 and learn something of its nesting habits. 



It should be understood that these observa- 

 tions are based entirely upon my experiences 



BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHEKS AND THEIR NEST. 

 From mounted group at the Smithsonian Institution. 



first of September. Were it not for its peculiar 

 call note and song, it would indeed be bill 

 seldom found even by the most experienced col- 

 lector; its small size, color and habitat all com- 

 bining to render it inconspicuous. 



Its nests and eggs seem to have been seldom 

 found, for during an experience of twenty years 



made on two days of this year anil upon the live 

 specimens referred to. and may or may not hold 

 good for other localities. I spent the day of 

 May 5th in company with Mr. E. M. Hasbrouck 

 in the swamps about that point on the Alex- 

 andria and Mount Vernon R. R. known as the 

 Dyke. During the day we noticed nine pairs of 



