106 THE PLUMBEOUS GNATCATCHEE 



web and tip white (much like the second feather of P. ccerulea) ; the next 

 two feathers tipped with white. Size of P. ccerulea. 



§ : Lilve the ^ ; the upper parts still duller, and frequently with a decided 

 brownish shade; no black over the eye. Only distinguished from $c(EntZca 

 by less white on the tail. 



The difference between this species and P. cwrulea lies only in the less 

 amount of white on the tail and absence of black on the forehead. The 

 black on the bead is restricted to a short superciliary stripe, instead of reach- 

 ing across the forehead. The outer tail-feather has about as much white as 

 there is on the second feather of P. cw^ulea, while the next feather corre- 

 sponds to the third of ecerulea. In view of the observed variations in this 

 respect, it may fairly be questioned whether the present is anything more 

 than a local race of P. cwrulea, as would certainly seem to be the case if 

 specimens also intermediate in the character of the black on the head should 

 be forthcoming. This, however, has not been observed ; while the fact that 

 the two forms live side by sideia Arizona, each preserving its characters for 

 the most part intact, is evidence in favor of their specific difference. 



DK C. B. E. KBNNERLY discovered this bird on Bill Will- 

 iams' River, Arizona, in 1854, and ic was described by Pro- 

 fessor Baird during the same year. It does not seem to be a com- 

 mon bird ; in fact, the small number of specimens acquired in 

 the interval between its discovery and the present time go to 

 show that it is less abundant in Arizona than P. ccerulea, 

 though in one sense it is the characteristic species of the Ter- 

 ritory. During my residence at Fort Whipple, I did not find it, 

 or, at any rate, did not recognize it, though 1 took specimens 

 in several other localities, lower than or south of Whipple. In 

 these places, it was seen in summer and early autumn. Dr. 

 Cooper remarks its wintering on the Colorado as high as Fort 

 Mojave. There is nothing to speak of in its habits and man- 

 ners after what has been said of its near relative. 



ISlack-capped Gnatcatcher 



Polioptila melaunra 



Cnllcivora atriCaplUa, Larm: Ann. Lyo, N. Y. V. 1852, 124 (Texas).— Bii. Stansbury'g Rep. 

 1859, ;!28.— //cerm. Journ. Phila. Acad. ii. 1833, 563. 



Polioptila mclanura, Lawr. Ann. Lye. N. Y. vi. 18S6, 168 (Texas and California). —Bi BNA. 

 1858, 383.— Brf. Pr. Phila. Acad. 16.'>9, 304 (Cape Saint Lueas).- ffewm. PRRR. i. 1859, 

 39.— M. Rev. AB. 1864, 68.— Dress. Ibis, 1865, 485 (Texas).— Ooiies, Pr. Phila. Acad. 

 1866, 66 (Arizona).- Poo;). Am. Nat. iii. 1869, 184 —Coop. B. Cal. i. 1870, 37, fig.- 

 Couee, Key, 1872, 79, f. 20.— B. B. If R. NAB. i. 1874, 81, pi. 6, f. l.—Hensh. List B. 

 Arte. 1875, 155. 



