BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER 233 



After sighting the Gnatcatcher I located the nest, 

 within a few minutes. It was in a red-haw bush about 

 ten feet from the ground. Such a beautiful, artistically 

 moulded cup I have rarely seen made by a bird. The 

 nest was snugly set in the crotch of three small twigs, 

 with an arbor of live leaves shading the contents from 

 the rays of the July sun. Scientifically constructed of 

 thin scales of cherry bark, moss, lichens and a few hairs, 

 it was so delicately put together that a gentle finger touch 

 threatened to destroy its symmetry. Within the deep 

 oval reposed three beautifully white eggs and an egg 

 of a Cowbird was snugly tucked in their midst. The 

 latter was fully double the size of those of the nest- 

 builders. (Fig. 139.) 



The female came back within a few minutes, but was 

 easily disturbed and returned very slowly after the third 

 scare. I made some pictures of the nest and its contents, 

 removed the slacker 's egg, trusting that this act of cour- 

 tesy would be appreciated and would redound to the in- 

 terest of the prospective Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, and 

 left the nest with no further disturbance. 



