POLIOPTILA ccerulea: gnatcatcher. 



77 



BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER. 



POLIOPTILA CCERULEA (Z.) Scl. 



Chars. Clear ashy-blue, brightest on crown, hoary on rump ; fore- 

 head and line over eye black ; below, milk-white, slightly shaded 

 on sides ; wings blackish, the inner quills edged with hoary ; tail 

 black, outer feather mostly or wholly white, next about half 

 white, next tipped with white. Bill and feet black. Female sim- 

 ilar, but duller and more grayish-blue, lacking black on head. 

 Length, 4.50-5.00 ; extent, 6.25-7.00 ; wing, 2.00-2.25 ; tail about 

 the same. 



A rare visitor to southern New England, in the Caro- 

 linian Fauna; of only casual occurrence beyond. 



Fig. 16. — Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. (Natural size.) 



[I wish to take this species in illustration of some 

 remarks I have to offer concerning the preparation of 

 certain lists of New England birds, — one by myself, 



