398 LAND BIRDS 
is not uncommon to find the family keeping together, and 
by September they have joined bands flitting southward 
for the winter. 
The call-note of this species is a clear, sweet whistle 
like an interrogative “ who-ee?” and is heard oftenest 
during spring and fall, when the migrating flocks are 
feeding along the way. In quality it is not unlike the 
fall call of the bob-white, but much thinner in tone. 
620. PHAINOPEPLA. — Phainopepla nitens. 
Famity: The Waxwings and Phainopeplas. 
Length: 7.00-7.75. 
Adult Male: Plumage uniform glossy blue-black, except for white 
patch on inner webs of primaries ; a long thin crest on crown. Winter 
plumage similar, but many feathers bordered with white. 
Adult Female, and Young: Brownish gray, rather pale on under parts. 
Geographical Distribution: Arid region of Mexico and contiguous parts of 
United States from Western Texas to Southern California. 
California Breeding Range: Avid lower Sonoran zone. 
Breeding Season: May to July. 
Nest: Saucer-shaped, rather compact ; of plant fibres, weed stems, twigs, 
and plant down; usually in pepper or oak trees, or bunches of 
mistletoe. 
Eggs: 2 or 3; dull grayish white, thickly spotted with a neutral tint, 
dark brown and purple. Size 0.89 X 0.69. 
Ir, when driving through the streets of Redlands or 
Riverside, you see a slender bird of iridescent black plu- 
mage with a striking black crest, feasting on the rose- 
colored berries of the pepper trees, or sailing through 
the air, his conspicuous white wing-patches standing 
out like sails, be sure that it is the wonderful Phaino- 
pepla, one of the most interesting of Western birds. It 
is acommon resident throughout Southern California, and 
