Western Bird Guide: Birds of the Rockies and West to the Pacific

by Charles K. Reed

WESTERN GNATCATCHER.

751a. Polioptila cærulea obscura. 5 inches.

Range.—Western United States, breeding in northern Colorado 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 (.58 × .45).

PLUMBEOUS GNATCATCHER.

752. Polioptila plumbea. 4½ 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. 4½ inches.

Range.—Southern and Lower California, on the Pacific coast.