Page:Condor11(2).djvu/20

54 THE CONDOR VoL. XI rootlets, tho 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 (Toxosloma bendireD 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 Lyciurn bushes; three in mistletoe, in mesquite and catsclaw (Acacia greggii); three in palo verde, two in catsclaw, two in Xarcobalus, 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 wereconcerned, 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?iwelve feet apart and a Bendire's nest only a short distance away. As stated before, the Leconte Thrasher ( Toxosloma leconlei) 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. Sacalon, Arizona.