RED CONSPICUOUS IN PLUMAGE 



467 



Breeding Season : April to July 16. 



Nest : Shallow and loosely constructed ; saddled on a horizontal fork 6 



to 50 feet from the ground ; made of twigs, small weed tops, plant 



fibre, empty cocoons, spider webs, and plant down ; lined with 



feathers, hair, wool, fur, and plant down. 

 Eggs: 2 to 3 ; cream or buff, marked most heavily about the larger end 



with irregular blotches of brown, drab, and lavender gray. Size 0.71 



X 0.53. 



It is most unfortunate that this brilliant bit of bird 

 life occurs in California only as a winter visitor. During 

 the weeks from November to March it is more or less 

 common throughout the southern part of the State, espe- 

 cially that portion along 

 the Lower Colorado 

 River, but it is neither 

 so jubilant nor so fasci- 

 nating as when in its 

 own chosen haunts it 

 wooes its pretty mate. 

 One must cross to the 

 Arizona side of the 

 river and ride some 

 miles eastward, to 

 find it really abun- 

 dant, but the enthu- 

 siast will be well 

 repaid. Here, among the mesquite trees, like scarlet 

 blossoms suddenly taken wings, the dashing males chase 

 each other and engage in brilliant combats. 



These feathered warriors have tempers as fiery as their 

 breasts. Early in March they arrive from the south or 

 west, and a week later are joined by the females, 



471. Vermilion Flycatcher. 

 " Pouring out his joy." 



So 



