WESTERN GNATCATCHER. 
751a. Polioptila ccerulea obscura. 5 inches. 
Range. —Western United States, breeding in northern Colo¬ 
rado and California. These birds in their actions somewhat 
resemble the Redstart, with their long tail, and quick flights 
into the air for insects and back again to the same twig, 
possibly near where their nest is placed. They build one of 
the prettiest of nests, very deep and cup-shaped, and on 
the top of some moss-covered limb at twenty to forty feet 
from the ground. Making the nest from plant down and 
moss, completely covered with lichens, so that it resembles 
a large knot on the limb, much like the nest of the Ruby- 
throated Hummingbird. Four or five dull white eggs, spotted 
with brown (,58x.45). 
PLUMBEOUS GNATCATCHER. 
752. Polioptila plumbea. 4 ^ inches. . 
Range. —Southern California, Texas into Mexico. Breeds 
like the above quite commonly in southern Texas; eggs a 
little smaller. 
BLACK-TAILED GNATCATCHER. 
753. Polioptila californica. 4% inches. 
Range. —Southern and Lower California, on the Pacific 
coast. 
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