328 BIRDS OF XORTH CAROLINA 



Genus Polioptila (Scl.) 

 334. Polioptila caerulea cserulea (Linn.). BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER. 



Description: Ad. male. Upperparts bluish gray; forehead and front of the head narrowly 

 bordered by black; wings edged with grayish, the secondaries bordered with whitish; outer tail- 

 feathers white, changing gradually until the middle ones are black; underparts dull grayish 

 white. Ad. female. Similar, but without the black on the head. L., 4.50; W., 2.05; T., 2.00; 

 B., .40. (Chap., Birds of E. N. A.) 



Range. United States, wintering in Gulf States and southward. 



Range in North Carolina. Whole State in summer. 



FIG. 269. BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER. 



The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher reaches the State about the last week in March, and 

 has been recorded as late as October 2 at Raleigh, and September 9 at Weaverville. 

 This is a common species wherever found, easily recognized by its long black tail, 

 bluish color, and squeaky, high-pitched notes. It breeds from late April to early 

 June, building its pretty lichen-covered nest (which resembles a large model of 

 that of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird) on the horizontal limb of a sweet-gum, 

 birch, pine, oak, willow, apple, ash, cedar, or other tree. The eggs are five or six 

 in number and are greenish or bluish white in ground color, speckled with chest- 

 nut. Size .57 x .44. The heights of nests we have taken varied from five to thirty- 

 five feet. 



Pearson has found that in Guilford County these birds show a decided prefer- 

 ence for white-oak trees as nesting sites. On two occasions he has observed males 

 singing while sitting in the nest. 



Although the usual notes are not particularly attractive, the song is really quite 

 melodious. Both sexes aid in the construction of the nest. 



Since the above was written the following note has been received from Ludlow 

 Griscom: "One bird seen by all three of us (Johnson, Nicholls and the writer) 

 on December 30 and 31, 1916, on Pamunkey Island (Currituck Sound)." 



