328 



]!lUllS OK XoKTU CaKOLIXA 



Genus Polioptila Scl.) 

 334. Polioptila caerulea cserulea (Linn.). Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. 



Description: Arl. male. — Uppcrpurts l)hiish gray; forehead and front of the }icad narrowly 

 bordered by black; wings edged witli gi'ayisli, the secondaries bordered with wliitish; outer tail- 

 feathers white, changing gradually until the middle ones are black; underparts dull grayish 

 white, ylrf. /ewo/c— Similar, but without the black on the head. L., 4.50; W., 2.05; T., 2.00; 

 B., .40. (Chap., Birds of E. \. A.) 



Range. — United States, wintering in Gulf States and southward. 



Range in North Carolina. — Whole State in summer. 



Fig. 260. Blie-grav Gnatc.\tcher. 



The Blue-gray linatcatchcr rcuc-lics the State aljout the last week in March, and 

 has been recorded as late as October 2 at Raleigh, and September 9 at Weavervilie. 

 This is a common species wherever found, easily recognized by its long black tail, 

 bluish color, and squeaky, high-i)itched notes. It l^reeds from late April to early 

 June, building its pretty lichen-covered nest (\vhich resembles a large model of 

 that of the Knby-throated Humniingbird) on tlie horizontal liml) of a sweet-gum, 

 birch, pine, oak, willow, apple, ash, cetlar, or other tree. The eggs are five or six 

 in number and arc greenish or bluish white in ground color, speckled with chest- 

 nut. Size .57 X .44. The heights of nests we have taken varied from five to thirty- 

 five feet. 



Pearson has found that in (iuill'ord Comity tliese l)irds show a decided prefer- 

 ence for white-oak trees as nesting sites. On two occasions he has observed males 

 singing while sitting in the nest. 



Although the usual notes are not i)artiriihirly attractive, the song is really quite 

 melodious. Both sexes aid in tlie construction of tlie nest. 



Since the above was written the following note has been received from Ludlow 

 Griscom: "One bird seen by all three of us (.Johnson, Nicholls and the writer) 

 on December :^0 and HI. lOKi. on I'aininikev Island (Currituck Sotmd)." 



