DUSKY, GRAY, AND SLATE-COLORED 359 
was snugly woven in a low bush at San Diego. At first 
view it was difficult not to believe it the nest of the 
American redstart of the Eastern States, but closer exam- 
ination revealed a wideness at the base and ornamentation 
of tiny curled sage-leaves and bits of lichen bound on 
with spider webs. It contained, May 10, four nestlings 
so nearly ready to fly that 
an attempt to investigate 
resulted in the sudden de- 
parture of the four in dif- 
ferent directions. Although 
the flight of each was 
short, quick, and flutter- 
ing, every one of them 
succeeded in getting out 
of sight among the thick 
green, and search re- 
vealed but one of the —~ 
four. He was a bewitching ise Va 
little gray ball of feathers, Padi 
with just a promise of the 753. Brack-rarten GNATCATCHER. 
tail that should give him tie EM & alana iG Say oe a) 
his name. During the hour — 
that we were able to watch him, he was fed seven times 
by the male, the food brought being small flies and green 
worms. The female was evidently with the rest of the 
brood, for she did not appear. The male seemed to have 
no fear of us, and came each time with a little challeng- 
ing note as if he were tempted to drive us away. A mock- 
ingbird, who came near by to drink, was fiercely attacked 
and driven away by the plucky mite, single-handed. 
