FLYCATCHERS 
263 
Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Canadian zones in British Co¬ 
lumbia and the western United States from Oregon and Montana to the 
eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains and soutli to New Mexico and Ari¬ 
zona ; migrates to Lower California and southern Mexico. 
Nest. — Fastened to twigs or against the trunk of saplings, or in up¬ 
right forks of bushes from 2 to 18 feet from the ground, made of plant 
fibers and strips of bark, partially lined with feathers, hair, and some¬ 
times tree moss. Eggs: 3 to 5, dull white, unspotted. 
Food. — Insects, spiders, and caterpillars. 
In the Great Basin country wrightii is as much at home in the 
sagebrush as most other species of Empidonax are in shady woods 
or around grassy meadows. His trim little form is often noticed on 
top of a sagebrush by the roadside, sometimes far from water, but 
more often within reach of pond or stream. A favorite place for 
the nest is in the fork of a sage. 
When found in the mountains wrightii is usually in the open or 
half forested parks, brushy slopes, old burnings, or edges of aspen 
groves. Vernon Bailey. 
469.1. Empidonax griseus Brewst. Gray Flycatcher. 
Nearest to wrightii , but larger and much grayer, washed with darker on 
chest; bill longer, basal half of lower mandible flesh colored in strong 
contrast to blackish tip. 
Distribution. — From the southern part of California and Arizona 
through Lower California and Sonora, Mexico, to the southern end of the 
tablelands. 
Nest and eggs. — Unknown. 
In Mr. Grinnell’s list of the birds of Los Angeles County he gives 
some interesting records for the little known gray flycatcher. He 
thinks it can be found in some parts of the county throughout the 
year. A few specimens have been taken in fall, winter, and spring 
near Pasadena and El Monte, and in July Mr. Grinnell found it at 
an altitude of from 7500 to 8500 feet on the side of Mt. Waterman. 
There, he says, it was ‘not uncommon though very shy, keeping 
in the tallest pines on the mountain sides.’ He secured full fledged 
young as early as July 11. 
470a. Empidonax fulvifrons pygmaeus ( Coues ). Buff¬ 
breasted Flycatcher. 
Adults. — Upper parts dull grayish brown; wing bars grayish ; under 
parts pale buffy, washed with ochraceous on breast and sides. Young: 
wing bands buff ; lower parts paler and duller. Length: 4.75-5.10, wing 
2.20-2.45, tail 1.95-2.14, bill .50-.55, bill from nostril .25-.27, width at base 
.20-.22, tarsus .51-.60. 
Distribution. — Breeds from southwestern New Mexico and Arizona 
south to western Mexico. 
Nest. — In forks or on branches 30 to 50 feet from the ground, about 
the size and shape of a blue-gray gnatcatcher’s; made of bits of soft leaves, 
