178 VAN DENBURGH — BIRDS OF SANTA CLARA CO., CAL. [Nov. 17, 



and in full song (during 1896 and 1897 I saw none). Nest build- 

 ing begins during the second half of April. I have found its five 

 to eight eggs from May 9 to June 6 (1890). 



Cistothorus paliistris paludicola . Tule Wre n . 



The tule wren breeds in the marshes south of San Jos^, but not 

 very abundantly. 



Parus inornatus. Plain Tit. 



It can hardly be said that this tit is common at Los Gatos even 

 in winter, though it is seen much more frequently then than during 

 the breeding season. At Palo Alto, and probably in the oak region 

 throughout the valley, it is a very common resident. It has, per- 

 haps, a greater variety of notes than any other of our Dirds. Its 

 eggs, usually, are seven, and are to be found in April. Occa- 

 sionally, the nests are built in bird boxes. 



Parus rufescens Jieglectus. California Chickadee. 



In the coniferous woods southeast of Saratoga this chickadee is 

 a very common resident and undoubtedly breeds. Straggling 

 flocks occur irregularly near Los Gatos during nearly the whole 

 year, but never are common. 



Chafuceafasciata. Wren Tit. 



This is a very common resident of the chaparral belt, where its 

 curiously rattlelike call may be heard almost constantly. Its song 

 is a series of beautifully clear whistled notes delivered at constantly 

 lessening intervals, so that it has much the cadence of an ivory 

 ball dropped on a slab of stone. Nest building begins about the 

 middle of April (April 12, 1890) and fresh eggs may be found 

 until late in June (June 20, 1889). Three to five eggs are laid, 

 most frequently four. 



Psaltriparus minimus calif ortiicus. California Bush Tit. 



This is a very common resident. Nest building sometimes 

 begins as early as the middle of February, but usually not until a 

 month later. The nests vary in length from six and one-half inches 

 to more than a foot. Their construction occupies the birds from 

 one to three weeks (extremes are April 5-1 1 ; March i6-April 10), 

 depending chiefly upon the abundance of material. Full sets con- 

 tain from two to eight eggs, and may be found as late as June 16 



