The Yuma nest, although a delicate structure, will not compare with that of P. cærulea. It entirely lacks the exterior coating of lichens so effectively employed by the commoner bird, and in its general appearance closely resembles the Redstart’s well-known domicile, being similarly felted of soft bark strips and hemp-like vegetable fibres. It is lined with down from plants, a few feathers, and the hair of some small quadruped. Externally it measures 2.25 in width by 1.55 in depth; internally 1.45 by 1. The egg is pale greenish-blue, coarsely and very evenly spotted with reddish-brown. Its measurements are .53×.42. This nest was placed in a bunch of mistletoe, at a height of about eight feet from the ground. It is accompanied by the male parent, who revealed its position by repeatedly entering the mistletoe. and showing other signs of anxiety respecting its contents. The position of the Camp Lowell nest is not mentioned.
Juv., first plumage, ♀ (No. 619, Yuma, July 15). Crown pale cinereous; rest of upper parts faded brown. The wings are uniform with the back, but all the primaries and secondaries have a broad white edging on their outer webs. The tail is dull black, with white areas on the outer rectrices corresponding in extent and purity with those of the adult. Beneath, pale ashy-white.
A study of the large series of Gnatcatchers collected during the past season confirms the views which I lately advanced (this Bulletin, Vol. VI, p. 101) regarding the affinity of P. plumbea and P. “melanura,” and also affords additional evidence of the assumed specific distinctness of P. californica. The Yuma examples of P. plumbea are quite as typical as those taken at Tucson and Camp Lowell, while seven specimens of californica, collected at Riverside after Mr. Stephens’ return to that place, still further attest the constancy of most of the characters which I assigned to the latter bird. That relating to the brown edging of the secondaries will, however, have to be abandoned, for plumbea proves to be similarly characterized when in worn breeding dress; the supposed shorter tail of californica also is now shown to be an inconstant feature. All of the three young males taken at Riverside have black lateral crown-stripes like those of immature plumbea.
267, ♂ ad., Tucson, April 23. Length, 4.60; extent, 5.80; wing, 1.85; tail, 2.15; bill (from nostril) .25; tarsus, .67. “Iris dark brown;” lores ashy mixed with black; eyelids white.
500, ♂ ad., Tucson, June 7. Length, 4.60; extent, 5.80; wing, 1.81; tail, 2.12; bill (from nostril), .25; tarsus, .65. Lores ashy mixed with black; upper eyelid white.
564, ♂ ad., Camp Lowell, June 22. Length, 4.55; extent, 5.80; wing, 1.84; tail, 2.19; bill (from nostril), .25; tarsus, .70. Lores black; both eyelids white.
567, ♂ ad., Camp Lowell, June 22. Length, 4.40; extent, 5.60; wing, 1.84; tail, 2.16; bill (from nostril), .26; tarsus, .70. Lores and superciliary line white mixed with black.
581, ♂ ad., Camp Lowell, June 24. Length, 4.40; extent, 5.80; wing, 1.98; tail, 2.20; bill (from nostril), .28; tarsus, .70. Lores ashy.
618, ♂ ad., Yuma, July 15. Length, 4.40; extent, 5.80; wing, 1.90; tail, 2.15; bill (from nostril), .26; tarsus, .68. Lores, with broad superciliary lines meeting across the forehead, white.
621, ♂ juv., first plumage, Yuma, July 16. Length, 4.40; extent, 5.60; wing, 1.76; tail, 2.13; bill (from nostril), .26; tarsus, .72. Sides of head ashy-white; ill-defined, black, lateral crown-stripes partially concealed.