$6 RIDGWAY ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. 



along the ground in masses 30 or 40 feet in diameter and perhaps 12 

 or 15 feet high. In this case it forms an impenetrable, thorny mass 

 well suited for a nesting site for this and other species. The mes- 

 quite is not plenty here, occurring only where the soil is fairly 

 good. There is one grove of two or three acres where they grow 

 more tree-like. This is a favorite resort for A.faviceps. 



On the 9th of April a $ was taken from a nest containing four 

 eggs. The nest was about six feet above the ground among the 

 branches of a mesquite. Incubation was so far advanced that one 

 egg popped open in blowing. 



At Yuma the birds were not common. Seven adults and one 

 young were taken. I also found two nests, one old one, and the 

 other already deserted by the young. None were seen else- 

 where. 



The song is short end clear, but not often heard, the usual note 

 being " tsup" which is uttered quite loudly for so small a bird. This 

 note is uttered repeatedly, though at times they will remain silent 

 for several minutes when they will commence again from a different 

 position. They are very restless little fellows, and one needs to be 

 active to get them. They are not gregarious like other titmice. 



131. Regulus calendula (Linn.). {Ruby -crowned Kin glef). 

 A regular Winter visitor in Southern California. 



132. Polioptila ccerulea (Linn.). {Blue- Gray Gnatcaicher. 

 Not very common in the San Bernardino Valley, where they breed 

 small numbers. Was not seen at Yuma where variety plumbea 

 takes its place. I think, however, that it is a Winter resident there. 



133. Polioptila plumbea Baird. {Plumbeous Gnatcaicher). 

 This bird was met with only at Yuma, where it was rather common. 

 I have seen several families besides finding two sets of eggs. The 

 usual number to a brood is four, but I think that in one instance I 

 saw five. It is found in the thick mesquite timber, in the willows, 

 and in the sage brush at the edge of the hills. In fact they seem to 

 care little what the timber is so long as there is plenty of it. They 

 are very restless and their calls are very weak, especially when 

 compared with ccerulea. 



The black caps of the males of plumbea and Calif ornica are 

 worn but little more than half the year, i. e. — in the breeding sea- 

 son. From about September to February the males, like the 

 females, being gray-crowned, but probably, in some cases, showing 

 traces of the black cap. As far as I can remember the black 

 markings of the forehead, etc., of ccerulea are persistent. 



