FAMILY SYLVIIDJE 



53. Family SYLVIID^ 



The European Warblers, Kinglets, Gnatcatchers 

 and Their Allies 



This is a varied assemblage of birds, 

 mostly of small, in many cases very small, 

 size, closely related to the thrush family, 

 in which many of its members have often 

 been included. It is best represented in the 

 Old World where its typical members may be 

 said to take the place of the Mniotiltidcz in 

 America. Among its few American mem- 

 bers are the Gnatcatchers, represented in the 

 Canal Zone. These are very small, active, 

 arboreal, insectivorous birds of slender, deli- 

 cate build, with a rather long tail, which 

 strongly suggest diminutive mocking birds 

 in their actions and appearance. 



i. Polioptila superciliaris superciliaris 



Lawrence 

 Lawrence's Gnatcatcher 



Length: Male 99 mm. (3.90 in.); tail 40 mm. 

 (i.6oin.). Female 93 mm. (3. 60 in.); tail 39 mm. 

 (i-55 in.). 



Male. Dark blue gray above, the top of the 

 head and hindneck black, that color extending 

 to sides of neck; tail black with white on outer 

 feathers; eyelids and a streak over ear coverts, 

 sides of face and under parts, white, heavily 

 washed with blue gray on the chest, breast and 

 sides. 



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