310 



North American Birds Eggs. 



DIPPERS. Family CINCLID/E. 



701. American Dipper; Water Ouzel. Cinctas mexicanuii. 



Range. — ^Mountains of western North America from Alaskato Central America. 



These short-tailed, grayish colored birds are among the strangest of feathered 

 creatures; thej' frequent the sides of mountain streams where they feed upon 

 aquatic insects and small fish. Although they do not have webbed feet, they 

 swim on or under water with the greatest of ease and rapidity, using their 

 wings as paddles. They have a thrush-like bill and the teetering habits of the 

 Sandpiper, and they are said to be one of the sweetest of songsters. They nest 

 among the rocks along the l)anks of swiftly flowing streams, and sometimes 

 beneath falls; the nests are large round structures of green moss, lined with 

 fine grass and with the entrance on the side. The eggs are pure white, four or 

 five in number, and laid during May or June. Size 1.00 x .70. 



WRENS, THRASHERS, ETC. Family TROGLODYTID/E. 



702, Sage Thrasher. Orascaptcs iiiiintdiiiis. 



Range.— Plains and valleys of western Ignited States, east of the Sierra Ne- 

 vadas, from Montana to Mexico. 



This species is abundant in the sage regions of the west, 

 nesting on the ground or at low elevations in sage or other 

 bushes. Their nests are made of twigs, rootlets and bark 

 strips, lined with fine rootlets; the three or four eggs are a 

 handsome greenish blue, brightly spotted with reddish brown 

 and gray. Size .95 x .70. Data. — Salt Lake Co., Utah, May 

 11, 1000. Nest placed in a sage bush; made of twigs of the 

 same and lined with bark strips. Collector, W. H. Parker. 

 (Crandall collection.) 

 Mockingbird. Mimus polyglottos. 



[Greenish blue. I 



703. 



[Dull greenish 



Range.— South Atlantic and Gulf States, north to New 

 Jersey and Illinois. 



These noted birds are very common in the south where 

 they are found, and nest about houses in open woods, 

 fields, and along roadways; their nests are rude, bulky 

 structures of twigs, grasses, leaves, etc., placed in trees or 

 bushes at low slevations; the three to five eggs are usually 

 dull greenish blue, boldly spotted with brownish. Size 

 .95 X .72. 



703a. Western Mockingbird. 31. p. Icucopterus. 

 Range.— Southwestern United States from Texas to California, and southward. 

 This" subspecies is as common in its range, and its habits are the same as 

 those of the eastern bird. The nests and eggs are identical with those of the 

 last, and like that variety they frequently nest in odd places as do all common 

 birds when they become familiar with civilization. 

 704. Catbird. Galcoscoptcs carolincnsif<. 



Range. — North America, breeding from the Gulf States to the Saskatchewan; 

 rare on the Pacific coast; winters in the Gulf States and southward. 



This well known mimic is abundant in the temperate 



y*"'"*""''''"' ^ portions of its range, frequenting open woods, swamps, 



^^^ .^V hillsides and hedges. Their nests are usually low down in 



^BBiltelr 1 i liil i I uiM bushes or trees, and are constructed similarly to those of 

 ^^^^mmmmmjm ^^i^ Mockingbird, of twigs and rootlets; a tangled mass of 

 ^^^^^^^^^^W vines and briers is a favorite place for them to locate their 

 ^^^^^^^^^ home. Their eggs are laid in the latter part of May or dur- 

 ing June, and are from three to five in number and a bright 

 bluish green in color, unmarked. Size .95 x .70. 



[Bluish green. I 



