CONSPICUOUSLY BLACK AND WHITE 401 
In twelve days the nestlings were growing quite a 
respectable coat of brownish gray like that of the female, 
and could be seen stretching their wings in the saucer- 
shaped nest so near the edge that they were in imminent 
danger of falling off. Their call was exactly like that of 
the young cedar waxwings, a prolonged “ pee-eet,’” sweet 
and plaintive. The song of the adult is more remark- 
able for enthusiasm than musical quality, and his call- 
note is a shrill two-syllabled utterance in the harsh tones 
of a blue jay. Besides this he has a variety of conversa- 
tional tones which remind one somewhat of the gentle 
waxwings. 
In some localities the Phainopepla is called the black 
mockingbird, but he has not a single characteristic of 
the mockingbird family, and certainly his vocal powers 
do not put him in that list. 
665. BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER. 
Dendroica n ores "ENS. 
Famity: The Wood Warblers. 
Length: 4.70-5.40. 
Adult Male in Spring and Summer: Head, throat, and chest black, 
except for broad white stripe above ear-coverts, broad white malar 
stripe, and a yellow spot over lores ; upper parts bluish gray, the back 
and sides streaked with black; breast and belly pure white ; two 
white wing-bars ; tail with inner web of two outer feathers white. 
Adult Female in Spring and Summer: Similar to male, but colors 
duller ; crown usually grayish, often streaked with black. 
Adult Male in Fall and Winter: Similar to summer male, but gray of 
upper parts tinged with brown, and black markings restricted, some- 
times nearly obsolete. 
Adult Female in Fall and Winter: Similar to summer female, but plu- 
mage softer and streaks on back and upper tail-coverts wanting. 
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