54 
THE CONDOR 
VOL. XI 
rootlets, tlio some fine bark, hair or feathers may also be seen in some of the nests. 
The bird is not too proud to use a foundation already laid, as three nests were 
found built right on top of old Cactus Wrens’ nests. The eggs are quite uniform 
in size, shape, color and marking, and are much larger than those of the Crissal, 
tho the birds do not differ much in measurement. 
The Bendire Thrasher ( Toxostoma bendirei) in nesting, as in song, showed 
more individuality. The eggs showed great variation in size and shape, but the 
most marked difference was in color and marking. The ground color was all 
shades between clay color or drab and light green; and the markings from fine 
specks to almost blotches, of many indeterminate shades. A great range in choice of 
nesting sites was noticed. Of the thirty-nine nests, thirteen were in Lycium bushes; 
three in mistletoe, in mesquite and catsclaw (Acacia greggii) ; three in palo 
verde, two in catsclaw, two in Sarcobatus , one in screw-bean, and one in a salt- 
bush. The average hight was five feet, and the extremes three feet and ten feet. 
Two nests, deserted as far as the thrashers were concerned, were found, each con- 
taining an egg of Gambel Partridge. This thrasher nests a little later than the 
others, the date of first nest and egg being March 7. In March I found seven 
nests; in April, twenty; in May, ten; and in June, two. The latest date was 
June 10 when a nest with one fresh egg was seen. The sets were mostly of three 
eggs, eighteen of that number being found. Only two sets of four were seen and 
several completed sets of two eggs were noted. 
The nests are much finer in material and workbirdship than those of most 
thrashers. They are smaller, more compactly built and very symmetrical in their 
cupped shape. Finer twigs are used in the outside and they are fitted closely to- 
gether. The lining is variously composed of horse-hair, thread, twine, pieces of 
cloth, grass, weeds, rootlets, fine bark, wool and cotton from bedquilts, etc., etc. 
Most of them contain more or less horse-hair, and if near an Indian home, as is 
often the case, twine and material from the bed covers enters largely into the 
lining. One nest I noticed was built against a Verdin’s nest, the wall of the latter 
in fact forming part of one side of the thrasher’s nest. Both nests contained eggs, 
so the proprietors were on very neighborly terms, even tho I could discover no 
doorway between the apartments. The Bendires are rather shy about the nest, 
leaving quietly before a near approach is made. Very few of them show any con- 
cern about the nest tho exceptions were noted. The first nest I found was of un- 
certain identity so I decided to wait for the bird’s return. No bird appeared close 
enough to the nest to prove ownership and I had to make the third visit to the nest 
before Mrs. Bendire Thrasher was seen leaving home. 
The three species seem to get along peaceably together. I found nests of Pal- 
mer and Crissal in shrubs only twelve feet apart and a Bendire’s nest only a short 
distance away. 
As stated before, the Leconte Thrasher ( Toxostoma lecontei ) seems rare here. 
One nest was found in a palo verde and contained two half grown young. Two 
old nests were found in chollas. Their nests are unmistakable to one familiar 
with them and all had the same lining, a felted composition of a small woolly plant. 
All the nests I have seen in California had the same lining so when I saw a similar 
nest here I did not need to await the bird’s return. I did so, however, and the 
Leconte returned to feed the young, but hastily left when I was discovered. 
Sacaton , Arizona. 
