466 





The late Major Charles E. Bendire, U. S. A., discovered this species in the 

 vicinity of Tucson, Arizona, in 1872. The bird inhabits the same regions fre- 

 quented by //. jxilmiri and rrixtmlis, with whom it associates. Mr. Scott states that 

 the song of the male of this species is particularly beautiful, and is to be compared 

 with the best efforts of the Mockingbird. The nests are placed in mesquites and 

 cactuses, usually at a height of three or four feet above the ground. The colla 

 cactus is their favorite nesting-site. The breeding season begins early in March, 

 and two broods are generally reared in a season. The eggs are three or four, rarely 

 two, in number. The eggs are greenish-white, spotted with lavender-gray and drab. 

 The average size is 1.02x.74 inches. 



709. ST. LUCAS THRASHER. 



709. ST. LUCAS THRASHKK. 



HarpvrhyncIiHx riiirrcuK Xantus. Geog. Diet. 

 Lower California. 



This Thrasher is confined to the 

 peninsula of Lower California. Its gen- 

 eral habits are described as being similar 

 to those of //. jxiltncri or r/-/\,\(///\. Its nest 

 is a flat structure, with a slight hollow, and 

 usually built in low trees, shrubs and 

 cactus plants about four feet from the 

 ground. The eggs are two or three in 

 number, and are described as greenish- 

 white, spotted with pale reddish-brown. 

 Average size 1.06x.75. 



709a. MEARN'S THRASHER. Htirimrliitnrlinx rim-mis nn-arnxi Anthony. 

 Geog. Dist. Northern Lower California. 



Mr. Anthony has named this bird in honor of the well-known ornithologist and 

 scientist, Dr. Edgar A. Mearns. For a description of the bird see Auk. Vol. XII. 

 January, 1895, page 53. The price of the egg of this Thrasher is quoted at $4.00, but 

 I have never seen one. 



710. CALIFORNIA THRASHER. 



710. CALIFORNIA THRASHER. HfirptirJiiiHrJnix rrtlirirus (Gamb.) Geog. 

 Mat. Coast region of California, southward along the Pacific coast to Lower Cali- 

 fornia. 



This Thrasher is an abundant resident of the coast region of California. Mr. 



: Shields informs me that its favorite haunts in Los Angeles county are the 



