FLYCATCHERS 263 



Distribution. Breeds in Transition and Canadian zones in British Co- 

 lumbia and the western United States from Oregon and Montana to the 

 eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains and south to New Mexico and Ari- 

 zona ; migrates to Lower California and southern Mexico. 



Nest. Fastened to twigs or against the trunk of saplings, or in up- 

 right forks of hushes from 2 to 18 feet from the ground, made of plant 

 fibers and strips of bark, partially lined with feathers, hair, and some- 

 times tree moss. Eggs : 3 to 5, dull white, unspotted. 



Food. Insects, spiders, and caterpillars. 



In the Great Basin country wrightii is as much at home in the 

 sagebrush as most other species of Empidonax are in shady woods 

 or around grassy meadows. His trim little form is often noticed on 

 top of a sagebrush by the roadside, sometimes far from water, but 

 more often within reach of pond or stream. A favorite place for 

 the nest is in the fork of a sage. 



When found in the mountains wrightii is usually in the open or 

 half forested parks, brushy slopes, old burnings, or edges of aspen 

 groves. VERNON BAILEY. 



469.1. Empidonax griseus Brewst. GRAY FLYCATCHER. 



Nearest to wrightii, but larger and much grayer, washed with darker on 

 chest; bill longer, basal half of lower mandible flesh colored in strong 

 contrast to blackish tip. 



Distribution. Breeds from Oregon and Colorado to southern Mexico ; 

 winters from Arizona to Tepic. 



Nest. In trees 2-40 feet from the ground, made of inner bark of wil- 

 low. Eggs : 4, cream buff, unspotted. 



In Mr. Grinnell's list of the birds of Los Angeles County he gives 

 some interesting records for the little known gray flycatcher. He 

 thinks it can be found in some parts of the county throughout the 

 year. A few specimens have been taken in fall, winter, and spring 

 near Pasadena and El Monte, and in July Mr. Grinnell found it at 

 an altitude of from 7500 to 8500 feet on the side of Mt. Waterman. 

 There, he says, it was 'not uncommon though very shy, keeping 

 in the tallest pines on the mountain sides/ He afterwards found it 

 breeding abundantly in the San Bernardino Mountains. 



470a. Empidonax fulvifrons pygmseus (Coues). BUFF- 

 BREASTED FLYCATCHER. 



Adults. Upper parts dull grayish brown ; wing bars grayish ; under 

 parts pale buffy, washed with ochraceous on breast and sides. Young : 

 wing bands buff ; lower parts paler and duller. Length : 4.75-5.10, wing 

 2.20-2.45, tail 1.95-2.14, bill.50-.55, bill from nostril .2S-.27, width at base 

 .20-.22, tarsus .51-.60. 



Distribution. Breeds from southwestern New Mexico and Arizona 

 south to western Mexico. 



Nest. In forks or on branches 30 to 50 feet from the ground, about 

 the size and shape of a blue-gray gnatcatcher's ; made of bits of soft leaves, 



