. American ornithology for the home and school . each, and during the same year found a nest ofseven young. The ground color of the q^?. is a pale blueish or green-ish white, thickly speckled and spotted with brown and lilac, often form-ing a wreath around larger end. I found on May 3rd, near Chattanoga,Tennessee a set which were devoid of spots. The average size of eggsis about .56 x .43 inches. HABITS. The Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, sometimes (erroneously) called Long-tailed Titmouse, is an abundant summer resident of the southern andmiddle states. In early spring, ere the swollen buds of the ma
. American ornithology for the home and school . each, and during the same year found a nest ofseven young. The ground color of the q^?. is a pale blueish or green-ish white, thickly speckled and spotted with brown and lilac, often form-ing a wreath around larger end. I found on May 3rd, near Chattanoga,Tennessee a set which were devoid of spots. The average size of eggsis about .56 x .43 inches. HABITS. The Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, sometimes (erroneously) called Long-tailed Titmouse, is an abundant summer resident of the southern andmiddle states. In early spring, ere the swollen buds of the maple andpoplar have well begun to burst, the woodland and orchards are wellpopulated with this graceful little friend. The peculiar little note chee-e-e chee chee-chee interspersed with the low but sweet warble from thetree top and even low shrubbery announce the arrival from winterquarters. Soon after their arrival the happy pair will diligently set towork erecting their summerhome. Their diligence often betrays them, AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 28l. Photo by C. A. Smith. NEST OF BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER. for they are as busy as bees until the nest is completed. During themonth of April, 1899 I found a great many nests of these birds near myhome in Hamilton county, Tenn. On one day I found some twenty-ninepairs of this specie breeding. The movements of this specie are quick and spirited. It will be seenwhirling and darting in mid-air or among the branches of the trees inpursuit of the little insect which forms his daily diet. The long grace-ful tail adds much to the beauty of the bird and is no impediment, forwings and tail seem lost in one, as the little fellow is whirling in questof its prey. The Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher suffers as perhaps no otherbird of its section by the ravages of the Blue Jay, which devastate itslittle home devouring either eggs or well fledged young. H. R. Caldwell. 282 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 11 .(cIM/ATlwiTH ran FHIIMIS Address communications for this department to
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