, but has the same nesting habits as the eastern birds, placing
its nests either in upright crotches or, more rarely, upon horizontal
branches at a low elevation. The eggs cannot be distinguished from those
of the last species.

469. WRIGHT'S FLYCATCHER. _Empidonax wrighti._

Range.--Western United States, breeding from the Mexican border to
Oregon and wintering south of the United States.

A very similar bird to the last but whiter below. It is a much more
abundant species than the last and is found breeding in open woods and
thickets on all the ranges. The nests are built like those of the Least
Flycatcher and nearly always are found in the crotch of trees or bushes
at a low elevation; their nests, like those of the two preceding
species, bear a strong resemblance to those of the Yellow Warblers which
are found in the same localities and locations. The eggs are pale creamy
white, four in number and measure .68 x .52.

[Illustration 297: Least Flycatcher.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: 462--469--469.1.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]

Page 296

469.1. GRAY FLYCATCHER. _Empidonax griseus._

Range.--Lower California, north to southern California.

This is a slightly larger species than the preceding and is grayish
above and paler below, with little or no tinge of brownish or yellow. As
far as I can learn its eggs have not yet been taken.

470a. BUFF-BREASTED FLYCATCHER. _Empidonax fulvifrons pygmaeus._

Range.--Western Mexico, north to southern New Mexico and Arizona.

This small bird, which is but 4.75 inches in length, is brownish gray
above and brownish buff below. It is not a common species anywhere, but
is known to nest during June or July, on high mountain ranges, saddling
its nest of fibres, covered with lichens, on horizontal boughs at quite
an elevation from the ground. The eggs are pale buffy white, unspotted,
and measure .60 x .50.

471. VERMILLION FLYCATCHER. _Pyrocephalus rubinus mexicanus._

Range.--Mexico, north regularly to southern Texas, Arizona and New
Mexico.

This is one of the most gaudy attired of all North American birds, being
brownish gray on the back, wings and tail, and having a bright
vermillion crown, crest and underparts. They are quite common in
southern Texas, but far more abundant in the southern parts of Arizona.
Their habits do not differ from those of other Flycatchers, they living
almost exclusively u