Part 30

This species has a yellowish brown crown and whitish underparts. Their habits are like those of the other Nuthatches, they nesting in cavities at varying heights, from two to fifty feet from the ground. That they sometimes depart from the usual custom is evidenced by the data accompanying this egg. They lay from four to seven eggs, white with profuse markings of reddish brown; size .60 × .48. Data.--St. Mary's, Ga. Nest situated under the bark of an old dead pine stump, 4 feet from the ground; made of fine strips of bark.

730. PYGMY NUTHATCH. _Sitta pygmæa pygmæa._

Range.--North America west of the Rockies, breeding from Mexico north to British Columbia. Resident throughout its range.

This species has an olive gray crown bordered by dusky, the back is ashy blue and the underparts soiled white or rusty. They are common in mountains of western United States, nesting in holes in trees the same as the other species of Nuthatches. They lay from five to nine eggs which are white, speckled thickly with reddish brown; size .60 × .50. Data.--Huachuca Mts., Arizona, May 25, 1901. Nest in cavity (10 inches deep) in dead pine stump about 15 feet from the ground; composed of a mass of vegetable down; altitude 9000 feet.

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730a. WHITE-NAPED NUTHATCH. _Sitta pygmæa leuconucha._

Range.--Lower California.

Like the last but grayer above and white below. Its habits and eggs are the same as those of the Pygmy Nuthatch.

731. TUFTED TITMOUSE. _Bæolophus bicolor_.

Range.--Eastern United States, resident and breeding from the Gulf north to New York and Illinois.

This species has a grayish crest and upper parts, and is white beneath with brownish sides and black forehead. These common and noisy birds nest in natural cavities in trees or in holes deserted by Woodpeckers; they may be found at any elevation, from two to thirty feet from the ground. They line the bottom of the cavity with leaves, bark, fibres and hair, and during April or May lay five to eight white eggs, plentifully specked with reddish brown. Size .74 × .54.

732. BLACK-CRESTED TITMOUSE. _Bæolophus atricristatus atricristatus._

Range.--Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas and southward.

This Titmouse has a black crest and the forehead is white; otherwise similar to the preceding. Like the last, these birds nest in deserted Woodpeckers' holes and natural cavities in trees, either in open woods or in the vicinity of habitations. Their eggs are sparsely spotted with reddish brown, and not usually distinguishable from those of the Tufted Titmouse. Size .70 × .54. Data.--Brownsville, Texas, May 11, 1892. Nest of moss, hair, down and wool in cavity in tree in open woods near town; 4 feet from the ground.

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733. PLAIN TITMOUSE. _Bæolophus inornatus inornatus_.

Range.--California and Oregon west of the Sierra Nevadas.

This common, slightly crested Titmouse is grayish brown above and grayish white below. They nest anywhere in cavities that meet with their approval, about old buildings, in fence posts, etc., as well as holes in trees. Their eggs range from five to eight in number and are white, usually spotted with pale brownish. Size .72 × .52. Data.--Tulare Co., California, April 3, 1895. Nest in an oak tree, 32 feet from the ground, in a natural cavity of a horizontal limb; composed of grasses, feathers and fur.

733a. GRAY TITMOUSE. _Bæolophus inornatus griseus._

Range.--Southeastern United States, from Colorado and Nevada southward.

The nesting habits of this gray Titmouse are just the same as those of the other.

733b. ASHY TITMOUSE. _Bæolophus inornatus cineraceus._

Range.--Southern Lower California.

The habits of this variety are the same as those of the Plain Titmouse and doubtless the eggs are also.

734. BRIDLED TITMOUSE. _Bæolophus wollweberi._

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

This handsome species is quite abundant in the mountains of southern Arizona, and nests in woods or about ranches, lining the cavities of trees with moss, down, leaves, etc. The three to seven eggs that they lay are pure white, unmarked. Size .65 × .52. Data.--Huachuca Mountains, Arizona, April 5, 1901. Nest in the natural cavity of a live oak, 12 feet from the ground; cavity lined with bark and feathers.

735. CHICKADEE. _Penthestes atricapillus atricapillus._

Range.--Eastern North America, breeding from the Middle and Central States northward to Labrador; only migratory to a slight extent.

The Chickadee is too well known to need any description; suffice it to say that they are the favorites, with everybody, among all the North American birds. They breed in holes in trees in orchards or woods, and also in bird boxes. I have found by far the greater number in decayed birch stubs. They line the cavities with fine grasses and feathers, and during May or June lay from five to eight white eggs, dotted with reddish brown; size .55 × .45.

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735a. LONG-TAILED CHICKADEE. _Penthestes ataricapillus septentrionalis._

Range.--Rocky Mountain region, north to British Columbia.

This variety is very similar to the last but has a slightly longer tail and the colors are purer. Its nesting habits are the same and the eggs are indistinguishable from those of the eastern Chickadee.

735b. OREGON CHICKADEE. _Penthestes atricapillus occidentalis._

Range.--Pacific coast from California to Alaska.

The habits and eggs of this slightly darker variety are just the same as those of the common Chickadee of the east.

736. CAROLINA CHICKADEE. _Penthestes carolinensis carolinensis._

Range.--Southern United States from the Gulf to New Jersey and Illinois.

The southern Chickadee is smaller than the northern and the wing coverts and feathers have little or no white edgings. Their nesting habits are in every particular the same as those of _atricapillus_ and the eggs cannot be distinguished with certainty, but average smaller; size .53 × .43.

736a. PLUMBEOUS CHICKADEE. _Penthestes carolinensis agilis._

Range.--Eastern and central Texas.

This variety is said to be more plumbeous above and much whiter below than the preceding. No differences can be found in the eggs of the two varieties and the nesting habits are the same.

737. MEXICAN CHICKADEE. _Penthestes sclateri._

Range.--Mountains of western Mexico north to southern Arizona.

This species has the black more extended on the throat and the under parts are grayish of a lighter shade than the upper, the cheeks, however, remaining white. Their nests are in hollow stubs and the eggs are indistinguishable from those of the foregoing Chickadees.

738. MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE. _Penthestes gambeli gambeli._

Range.--Rocky Mountain region and west to the Pacific; north to British Columbia chiefly in higher ranges.

This handsome little Titmouse has a white superciliary line, leaving a black stripe through the eye. Their habits are like those of the other Chickadees and they are equally confiding and inquisitive. Their eggs range from five to eight in number and are either pure white or faintly marked with reddish brown; size .60 × .45. Data.--Estes Park, Colorado, June 8, 1803. Nest in an old Sapsucker's hole in a live aspen tree, 28 feet from the ground; cavity lined with hair and fur.

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739. ALASKA CHICKADEE. _Penthestes cinctus alascensis._

Range.--Northern Alaska and eastern Siberia.

This bird, which is most like the Hudsonian Chickadee, nests in the usual manner and its eggs are like those of the common Chickadee of the east.

740. HUDSONIAN CHICKADEE. _Penthestes hudsonicus hudsonicus._

Range.--Western half of British America.

These brown capped Chickadees are very abundant throughout the northwest and are even tamer than our United States varieties. They usually make their nests at low elevations in dead and decayed stumps and line the bottom of the cavity, which varies from three to eight inches in depth, with moss and fur. Their eggs, which they lay in May, June or July, are white, specked with reddish brown and cannot with any certainty be distinguished from those of the Black-capped Chickadees, the eggs of all the species showing considerable variations; size .60 × .45.

740a. ACADIAN CHICKADEE. _Penthestes hudsonicus littoralis._

Range.--Kowak River, northwest Alaska.

A larger and grayer form of the last species; nesting habits and eggs not differing.

740b. COLUMBIAN CHICKADEE. _Penthestes hudsonicus columbianus._

Range.--Rocky Mountains from northern United States to Alaska.

Like _hudsonicus_ but with the crown slaty instead of brownish. No difference can be distinguished either in their habits or eggs.

740c. CANADIAN CHICKADEE. _Penthestes hudsonicus littoralis._

Range.--Eastern half of Canada and northern New England and New York.

These birds were formerly _hudsonicus_ in company with the western ones, but they are now supposed to be a trifle smaller and with the crown duller; this division does not affect the similarity of their habits and eggs.

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741. CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE. _Penthestes rufescens rufescens._

Range.--Pacific coast from Oregon to Alaska.

This species is similar to the Hudsonian in having a brown crown and black throat, but has in addition, a chestnut colored back and sides. They breed locally in Oregon, more commonly in Washington and are abundant in British Columbia, making the nests of animal fur in holes in dead stubs. Their eggs vary in number from five to eight and are creamy white, dotted with reddish; size .60 × .45. Data.--Dayton, Oregon, May 28, 1906. Nest of hair and fur in willow stub, 10 feet up.

741a. CALIFORNIA CHICKADEE. _Penthestes rufescens neglectus._

Range.--Coast regions of California.

This variety is not as rufous on the sides as the more northern one. Its habits and eggs are the same.

741b. BARLOW'S CHICKADEE. _Penthestes rufescens barlowi_.

Range.--About Monterey Bay, California.

This variety is said to have no rusty on the flanks. Its habits and eggs are like those of the others.

742a. PALLID WREN-TIT. _Chamæa fasciata henshawi_.

Range.--Interior of California from Lower California to the Sacramento Valley.

This duller colored variety has the same nesting habits and similar eggs to those of the Coast Wren-tit.

742b. Coast Wren-Tit. _Chamæa fasciata fasciata._

Range.--Pacific coast from southern California north to Oregon.

These peculiar brownish gray colored birds frequent the tangled underbrush of ravines and mountain sides where they lead the life of a recluse. They nest at low elevations in the densest thickets, making them of twigs, strips of bark, grasses and feathers, compactly woven together and located in bushes from one to four feet from the ground. They lay from three to five plain, unmarked, pure white eggs; size .75 × .54. Data.--Wrights, Cal. Nest in a tangle of vines in a deep ravine; composed of strips of bark, moss and grasses, lined with cattle hair; a bulky nest.

743. BUSH-TIT. _Psaltriparus minimus minimus._

Range.--Pacific coast of northern California, Oregon and Washington.

These diminutive little birds build nests that are marvels of architecture, making long purse-like structures, suspended from twigs usually at low elevations from the ground. The nests are made of moss, lichens, fibres, ferns and grasses and lined with feathers or wool; the opening is on one side near the top, and a typical nest averages 12 inches in length, by 4.5 inches in diameter at the bottom and 3 at the top. Their eggs number from four to nine and are pure white; size .54 × .40. The birds are very active and have the same habits as the Chickadees, being seen often suspended, head downward, from the ends of twigs, in their search for insects.

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743a. CALIFORNIA BUSH-TIT. _Psaltriparus minimus californicus._

Range.--California with the exception of the northern part.

This sub-species, which is like the last but with a lighter brown head, has the same habits, nests in the same manner and its eggs are not distinguishable from those of the others.

743b. GRINDA'S BUSH-TIT. _Psaltriparus minimus grindæ._

Range.--Southern Lower California.

The nesting habits of this variety, which is very similar to the last, do not vary in any respect; eggs indistinguishable.

744. LEAD-COLORED BUSH-TIT. _Psaltriparus plumbeus._

Range.--Rocky Mountain region from Wyoming south to Arizona.

This species suspends its semi-pensile nests in bushes or trees, and some times from the mistletoe, which grows on numerous trees in southern Arizona. The nests are composed like those of the Cal. Bush-Tit and range from 6 to 10 inches in length. The eggs are white, five or six in number and measure .55 × .42.

745. LLOYD'S BUSH-TIT. _Psaltriparus melanotis lloydi._

Range.--Northern Mexico north into western Texas and New Mexico.

This species is similar to the lead-colored Bush-Tit but has the ear coverts glossy black. Like the others, it builds a long pensile nest of similar material and suspended from the extremities of limbs near the ground The five to seven eggs are pure white. Size .58 × .42.

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746. VERDIN. _Auriparus flaviceps flaviceps_.

Range.--Mexican border of the United States, north to Colorado and Nevada.

This Bush-Tit has a bright yellow head and throat, the upper parts being gray and the belly, white. They are abundant in chaparral brush, locally throughout their range. Their large globular nests are situated in bushes at low elevations from the ground, and are made of twigs and weeds, softly lined with fur and feathers. Their three to six eggs are pale greenish blue, specked and dotted with reddish brown. Size .58 × .44. Data.--Brownsville, Texas, May 8, 1894. Large nest of sticks and thorns, lined with hair and feathers, and located in a bush in brush thicket, 8 feet from the ground.

746a. CAPE VERDIN. _Auriparus flaviceps lamprocephalus._

Range.--Lower California.

This new sub-species is said to have shorter wings and tail, and also to be brighter yellow on the head. Its habits and eggs will not differ from those of the common Verdin or Yellow-headed Bush-Tit.

WARBLERS, KINGLETS and GNATCATCHERS. Family SYLVIIDÆ

747. KENNICOTT'S WILLOW WARBLER. _Acanthopneuste borealis._

Range.--Asia, casually found in Alaska.

This species breeds in the extreme northern parts of Asia, and I believe its eggs have never been found on this continent. They build their nests of moss and grasses, on the ground in open woods, concealing them under tufts of grass or tussocks of earth. The three to five eggs are white, spotted with pale reddish brown. Size .70 × .50.

748. GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET. _Regulus satrapa satrapa._

Range.--North America, breeding from northern United States northward, and south in the Rockies to Mexico, and in the Alleghanies to the Carolinas; winters throughout the United States.

This rugged little fellow appears to be perfectly content in our northern states even during the most severe winters and leaves us early in the spring for his breeding grounds farther north. They are usually found in company with Chickadees and, like them, may be seen hanging to twigs in all sorts of positions as they search for their meagre fare. Their nests are large, round structures of green moss, bark strips and fine rootlets, very thickly lined with soft feathers; these are placed in forks or partially suspended among the branches of spruce trees, usually high above the ground. During June they lay from five to ten eggs of a dull whitish or grayish color, spotted heavily with pale brown and lilac. Size .55 × .42.

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748a. WESTERN GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET. _Regulas satrapa olivaceus._

Range.--Pacific coast from southern California to Alaska.

This variety is said to be brighter colored than the last; its habits and eggs are the same in all particulars.

749. RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET. _Regulus calendula calendula._

Range.--North America, breeding from the northern border of the United States northward, and farther south in mountain ranges; winters in southern United States.

This little bird is of the size of the Golden-crowned Kinglet (4.25 inches long) and has a partially concealed patch of red on the crown, not bordered by black and yellow as is the last species. Their nests are similar in construction to those of the last species and are situated in coniferous trees at any altitude from the ground. Their four to nine eggs are creamy white, finely specked with reddish brown. Size .56 × .44.

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749A. SITKA KINGLET. _Regulas calendula grinnelli._

Range.--Pacific coast, breeding in Alaska.

Said to be brighter than the preceding variety.

749b. DUSKY KINGLET. _Regulus calendula obscurus._

Range.--Guadalupe Island, Lower California.

This species nests during March in the large cypress and pine groves at high elevations above the ground. The nests are similar in construction to those of the common Ruby-crown, and the eggs are scarcely different from some specimens of that species; white, dotted and wreathed with reddish brown. Size .56 × .43.

751. BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER. _Polioptila cærulea cærulea._

Range.--United States, east of the Rockies, breeding from the Gulf to the Middle and Central States; casually north to Massachusetts and Minnesota.

These graceful birds are bluish gray above with a black forehead and central tail feathers, and white underparts. They are common in wooded districts in the south, where they saddle their beautiful nests upon horizontal branches or in crotches usually at quite an elevation from the ground; they resemble large Ruby-throated Hummers' nests but the walls are much higher and thicker; they are made of plant fibres and down, lined with cottony substances and hair, and covered on the outside with lichens to match the limb upon which it is placed. Their eggs are bluish white, specked with reddish chestnut. Size .58 × .45. Data.--Chattanooga, Tenn., April 30, 1900. Nest of moss, covered with lichens and lined with hair and feathers; 20 feet from the ground in a small tree.

751a. WESTERN GNATCATCHER. _Polioptila cærulea obscura._

Range.--Western United States and Lower California.

The habits and eggs of this sub-species are the same as those of the eastern bird, and the nests do not differ except, perhaps, in less ornamentation of the exterior.

752. PLUMBEOUS GNATCATCHER. _Polioptila plumbea._

Range.--Mexican boundary from western Texas to southern California.

This species has a bright shining black crown and more black on the tail than the eastern Gnatcatcher. They saddle their nests upon the branches of trees or in upright forks, usually at an elevation of ten feet or more from the ground; the nests are made of plant fibres and fine bark strips, compactly felted together, and with little, if any, ornamental lichens on the exterior. Their eggs are pale greenish blue, spotted with reddish brown, and vary from three to five in number. Size .54 × .44.

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753. BLACK-TAILED GNATCATCHER. _Polioptila californica._

Range.--Pacific coast of southern California and northern Lower California.

This bird is very similar to the last but has still less white on the outer tail feathers. Like the last, the nests of this species usually lack the exterior covering of lichens, being made of vegetable fibres and plant down, firmly quilted together and saddled on horizontal limbs or placed in forks of trees at any height from the ground. Their eggs are grayish white, specked with bright reddish brown. Size .55 × .44. Data.--Escondido, Cal., May 17, 1903. 5 eggs. Nest on a large limb of a sycamore, 30 feet above ground; made of weed fibres, etc., lined with hair and fine fibres.

THRUSHES, SOLITAIRES, BLUEBIRDS, ETC. Family TURDIDAE

754. TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE. _Myadestes townsendi._

Range.--Western United States, breeding from Arizona, New Mexico and southern California north to British Columbia.

This unique species is of a uniform brownish gray color, with a white eye ring, narrow bar on wing, and outer tail feathers, and with the bases of the primaries rusty colored. It is a ground inhabiting bird, feeding upon insects and berries in shrubbery and thickets. Their song is said to be liquid, melodious and often long continued, equaling that of any other bird. They nest on the ground in hollows under banks or crevices about roots of trees or fallen stumps, making a large, loosely constructed pile of weeds and trash, hollowed and lined with rootlets. The three or four eggs, which are laid in June, are grayish white, spotted with pale brown, chiefly or most abundantly about the large end. Size .96 × .70.

755. WOOD THRUSH. _Hylocichla mustelina._

Range.--Eastern United States, breeding from North Carolina and Kansas north to northern United States; winters south of our borders.

This Thrush with his brightly spotted breast is the most handsome of this group of musical birds. They are common in damp woods and thickets, in which places they breed, placing their nests of straw, leaves and grasses in low trees usually between four and ten feet from the ground; their nests are often very rustic, being ornamented by pieces of paper and twigs with dead leaves attached hanging from the sides of the quite bulky structures. During May or June they lay three or four greenish blue eggs of about the shade of a Robin's. Size 1.05 × .70.

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756. VEERY. _Hylocichla fuscescens fuscescens._

Range.--Eastern North America, breeding in the northern half of its United States range and in the southern British Provinces.

The Veery is very abundantly distributed in woodland, either moist or dry, and nests on the ground or within a very few inches of it, usually placing its structures of woven bark strips and grasses, in the midst of a clump of sprouts or ferns. The three or four eggs which they lay in May or June are bluish green, much darker than those of the Wood Thrush, and nearly the color of those of the Catbird. Size .90 × .65.

756a. WILLOW THRUSH. _Hylocichla fuscescens salicicola._

Range.--Rocky Mountain region, north to British Columbia.

The nests and eggs of this similar bird do not differ from those of the last.

757. GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH. _Hylocichla aliciæ aliciæ._

Range.--Breeds from Labrador to Alaska; winters south to Central America.

The nesting habits and eggs of this species are very similar to those of the following sub-species and the same description will answer for both.