MR. GAMBEL ON THE BIRDS OF CALIFORNIA. 39 



hill sides and plains, darting from twig to twig after passing insects, jerking its tail, 

 and merely uttering a single weak and singing chip, or an occasional guttural 

 twitter, but very different from the harsh angry tship of the 7^. nigricans, with which 

 it is so often associated. It breeds in California, and no doubt, like its dark com- 

 panion, about the houses and Missions, but I did not find its nest. 



49. M. NIGRICANS, (Swains.) Gray. Black Powee. 

 Tyranniila nigricans, Swains, Aud. 



This bird is abundant in California, and like our common Pewee is particularly 

 fond of being near the habitations of man : with the utmost confidence, it is seen 

 familiarly flying about the corals and gardens, and even the very doors ; over which, 

 on a projecting beam, about the middle of April I found its nest. It was large for 

 the size of the bird, and consisted of a solid round mason work of clay, intermixed 

 with fibres of grass, .&c., and lined with a thin layer of softer materials, blades of 

 grass, fine strips of bark from the neighboring vineyard, and horsehair, and contained 

 five whitish flesh coloured eggs, one or two of them with a few specks of reddish at 

 the larger end. This was the second nest which had been built that year; the first 

 near the same place having been destroyed by the occupant of the house, this was 

 commenced still nearer the door. I was informed that it was difficult to get them to 

 leave the place they had once selected for their nest, and that if it were torn down 

 they would at once commence forming another. The previous year three successive 

 nests had been destroyed. 



These birds are constant residents in California; and, as well as near the towns, 

 are also distributed over the whole country, either in the margins of woods, or 

 bushy plains, and almost always in pairs. They are very pugnacious, and are 

 often seen fighting together in the air, and darting after each other from branch to 

 branch, at the same time uttering their peculiar loud and angry tship, which can 

 always be recognized. From the arrangement of its colours, at a little distance, when 

 sitting with their breasts towards you, they are easily mistaken for Snow birds. 



60. M. CRiNiTus, (Linn.) Gray. Great-crested Flycatcher. 

 Tyrannus crinitiis, Swains. 

 This species is common around Santa Barbara, where they breed in the knot holes 

 of the evergreen oaks; and near Monterey, during winter, I have frequently seen 

 them, occasionally uttering iheu payup note as they flew after passing insects. 



SAUROPHAGUS, Swains. 

 51. S. SULPHURA.TUS, (Liuu.) Swains. Common Lizard-eater. 

 Pitangus Sulphuratus, Swains. • 

 Lanius sulphuratus, Linn. 

 This beautiful bird is extremely abundant about the Gulf of California. 



