SYLVICOLID.E — THE WARBLERS. ^n 



other times they are very sliy. Tlie notes ami sounds uttered by the West- 

 ern bird J)r Cooper states to be the same as those of the Eastern species, 

 anil witii the same grotesqueness. They leave the State of California on or 

 bei'ore the first of September. 



Dr. Gambel states that tiie Chat appears in California about the middle of 

 April, resorting to the hedges, vineyards, and bushy portions of gardens to 

 breed. 



Mr. Xantus found a nest of this bird (S. I., 89(i) at Fort Tejon, California, 

 in May. It is a very symmetrical and exactly circular nest, six inches wide 

 and three in height. Tlie cavity has a diameter of three inches at the brim, 

 and a depth of two. It is built of soft strips of bark, large stems, and 

 brandies of dry plants, leaves, twigs, and other vegetable substances. Tiiese 

 are very neatly and compactly iuterwo\en. The nest is elaborately lined with 

 finer stems and flexible grasses. Another nest (S. I., 181G), obtained at Xeo- 

 sho Falls, Kansas, by Mr. B. F. Goss, is of irregular shape. Its height is four 

 inches, and its diameter varies from tliree and three quarters to five inches. 

 It was built in a depression in tlie grouml, and its shape adapted to its loca- 

 tion. The base is conipo.sed entirely of leaves, impacted when in a moist and 

 decaying condition. Witliin these is interwoven a strong basket-like struc- 

 ture, made of long and slender stems, strips of bark, and fine rootlets, lined 

 witli finer grasses and stems of plants. 



A nest of this species from Sacramento is composed, externally, of fine 

 strips of inner bark of tlie grape and of deciduous trees, coarse straws, stems 

 of plants, twigs, and dried remains of weed.s, etc. It is lined with finer 

 stems and long wiry roots, resembling hair. Tliis nest has a diameter of four 

 inches and a height of three. The cavity has a diameter of three inches at 

 tiie rim, and a depth of two. 



In regard to tliis variety.fllr. Ridgway writes : •'♦ In no ^respect that I could 

 discover does this Western bird diHer from tlie Eastern in habits, manners, 

 or notes. Tlie nesting-liabits arcs exactly the same." 



The eggs of this species are, for the most jjart, larger tlian are those of tlie 

 vircns. They vary in length from .95 to l.Ol) of an inch, and have an aver- 

 age breadth of .70 of an inch. Their markings do not differ essentially in 

 shadings from those of the common species. 



Subfamily SET OPH AGIN JE. 



GEV.CnAR. Sylvinolino hirtlswitl. the ol.aractors ..f-Flvcatdiors; the bill notrlicrl at 

 tip, depres.scd and bma.l at the base, tho,,.], quite .leep ; the rielns with well-.leveloped 

 bristle., reaolun- beyon.l tl„. nostril.., .sometimes to the end of the bill. First quill rather 

 e.... than the (;,urth, or still shorter. Si.e of the species rarely exceeding six inohes. 

 Colors red, yellow, and olive. 



The species of this section resemble the small Flycatchers of the family 



