WES TEEN GNATCATCHEB 595 



to that of the one just described ; others were in crotches of small blue oaks, 

 and several were found in greasewood (chamisal) bushes, at a height of 

 not more than 3 feet from the ground. The construction and dimensions 

 were, in all of these nests, practically the same as those of the one described 

 in detail above. Only the height above the ground varied. 



One of the nests found at the latter locality on May 10 contained 5 eggs 

 which the female had already begun to incubate. She was on the nest but 

 snuggled so far down into the cavity that, seen from the ground, only her 

 bill and tail, both held at steep angle, were visible above the rim. A casual 

 glance would have passed the whole by as being an aggregation of twigs 

 and leaves in the crotch of the tree. The bird 's only act, when the observer 

 climbed the slender tree in which the nest was placed, was to crouch even 

 lower, as if she were endeavoring to escape detection. This sitting bird 

 permitted herself to be touched on the back before quitting the nest. 



A late instance of nesting was noted at Dudley, 6 miles east of Coulter- 

 ville, on July 12, 1920. This was definitely accounted for by the fact 

 that the first nest and its contents had been destroyed. The nest of date 

 cited contained 3 eggs, one-third incubated. It was situated 17 feet above 

 the ground on a crooked, dead and pendant branch of a large live black oak. 



The eggs have a ground color of delicate green, and on this are many 

 small rounded dots of reddish brown. The eggs usually number 4 or 5 to 

 the set. 



When foraging the Western Gnatcatcher is quick and seemingly nervous 

 in its movements, constantly twitching about, so that, whether intentionally 

 or not, the conspicuously marked black and white tail keeps the bird easily 

 in the eye of the observer. Its temperament is quite the opposite of that 

 of the vireos and some of the wood warblers, which act with a decided air 

 of deliberation. The gnatcatcher has not, however, the spasmodic flutter 

 of the wings which characterizes the Ruby- and Golden-crowned kinglets. 

 The flight of the Western Gnatcatcher is wavering and indirect, and carries 

 the bird rather slowly across the short intervals which it is accustomed to 

 traverse between trees. 



TowNSEND Solitaire. Myadestes townsendi (Audubon) 



Field characters. — Body about one-third bulk of Eobin; tail long, as long as body. 

 General coloration gray; tail narrowly white margined; a narrow circle of white around 

 eye. (See pi. 11a.) A broad band of pale buff shows forth on middle of wing in flight. 

 Demeanor quiet; flight rather slow, faltering. Voice: Male has an elaborate song com- 

 parable in some respects with that of Black-headed Grosbeak; call note a mellow metallic 

 cUnk; less often a harsh chack. 



Occurrence. — Moderately common summer visitant in Canadian Zone (locally in 

 Transition) ; more numerous on west slope of Sierra Nevada than on east side. Eecorded 

 from Hazel Green and Chinquapin eastward to Tenaya and Merced lakes ; also near Mono 

 Craters. Common during winter season in Transition Zone as in Yosemite Valley, about 



