M. French Gilman

“ In forming any theory of migration so much data is necessary that I hesitate. Any one, however, has some right to an opinion, and mine is that the sage thrasher migration is local rather than general. I have never seen them on their return trips in the autumn and some seasons they have failed to materialize in the spring movement. I saw them in their nesting places in Colorado as late as October 30, and judging from movements of some of our California birds in perpendicular migrations, these thrashers would not go to the Mexican line to spend the winter. ”

“ They left the nest quietly in thrasher-fashion on the opposite side of the bush when I was a few feet distant. In no case except when I caught one of the young that had left the nest did they show any parental concern. In nesting as well as in migrating they seem to have a go-as-you-please gait. During the three days observation I saw incomplete sets of fresh eggs, sets partly incubated, deserted nests and eggs, and young birds grown and partly grown. ”

“ From Cortez southward was a constant tho gradual descent toward the San Juan River. As the altitude decreased the number of thrashers increased and more old nests were seen. I had no time, while en route, for search, but during the noon hour I "took to the brush" and found the first new nest. It was in a thick sage bush (Artemisia tridentata) and was discovered by flushing the birds from an adjoining bush. The nest contained the shells of two freshly broken eggs, the cause of breakage not being apparent and the nest not otherwise disturbed. ”