North American Birds Eggs. 



327 



[White. I 



749. Ruby-cpowned Kinglet. RcguluH calendula. 



Range. — North Aaierica, breeding from the northern border ot the United 

 States northward, and farther south in mountain ranges; winters in southern 

 United States. 



This little bird is of the size ot the Golden-crowned Kinglet 

 (4.-!5 inches long) and has a partially concealed patch of red on - - , . 



the crown, not bordered by black and yellow as is the last species. 

 Their nests are similar in construction to those ot the last 

 species and are situated in coniferous trees at any altitude from 

 the ground. Their four to nine eggs are creamy white, finely 

 specked with reddish brown. Size .5ti x .44. 



749a. Sitkan Kinglet. H. c. grinnelii. 

 Range. — Pacific coast, breeding in Alaska. 

 Said to be brighter than the preceding variety. 



750. Dusky Kinglet. Rc<julut< obscurus. 

 Range. — Guadalupe Island, Lower California. 



This species nests during March in the large cypress and pine groves at high 

 elevations above the ground. The nests are similar in construction to those of 

 the common Ruby-crown, and the eggs are scarcely different from some speci- 

 mens of that species; white, dotted and wreathed with reddish brown. Size 

 .56 X .43. 



751. Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher. Polioptila Cfprulra. 



Range.— United States, east of the Rockies, breeding from the (-iulf to the 

 Middle and Central States; casually north to Massachusetts and Minnesota. 



These graceful birds are bluish gray above with a black forehead 

 and central tail feathers, and white underparts. They are com- 

 mon in wooded districts in the south, where they saddle their 

 beautiful nests upon hr)rizontal branches or in crotches usually 

 at quite an elevation from the ground; they resemble large Ruby- 

 throated Hummers' nests but the walls are much higher and 

 thicker; they are made of plant fibres and down, lined with cottony substances 

 and hair, and covered on the outside with lichens to match the limb upon 

 which it is placed. Their eggs are bluish white, specked with reddish chestnut. 

 Size .58 X .45. Data. — Chattanooga, Tenn., April 80, lUDO. Nest of moss, cov- 

 ered with lichens and lined with hair and feathers; 20 feet from the ground in a 

 small tree. Collector, Harry R. Caldwell. 



75 1a. Western Gnatcatcher. P.r.obsrura. 



Range.— Western United States and Lower California. 



The habits and eggs of this sub-species are the same as those of the eastern 

 bird, and the nests do not differ except, perhaps, in less ornamentation of the 

 exterior. 



752. Plumbeous Gnatcatcher. Polioptila pluinbca. 



Range. — Mexican boundary from western Texas to southern California. 



This species has a bright shining black crown and more black ■->"-• 



on the tail than the eastern Gnatcatcher. They saddle their ..>,"•.■.';■.. 

 nests upon the branches of trees or in upright forks, usually at an 

 elevation of ten feet or nrore from the ground; the nests are made 

 of plant fibres and fine bark strips, compactly felted together, 

 and with little, if any, ornamental lichens on the exterior. [Greenish blue) 

 Their eggs are pale greenish blue, spotted with reddish brown, and vary from 

 three to five in number. Size .54 x .44. 



Bluish white. 





