PARID.E — THE TITMICE. 109 



Psaltriparus rainimus, \ai. minimus, Boxai>. 



LEAST BUSH-TITMOUSE. 



Panis minimtis, TowNsKND, J. A. N. Sl^ VII, ii, 1837, 190. — AuD. Orn. Biog. IV, 1S38, 

 382, j)l. ccclxxxii, tigs. 5, 6. — Ib. UirJs Am. II, 1841, 160, pi. cxxx. Paxilc minima, 

 Bon. Cansp. 1S50, 230. PsaUria minima, Cassin, Illust. 1853, 20. Psaltriparus 

 miniimis, BoN. C. II. XXXVIII, 1854, 62. — Baiiid, Birds N. Am. 1858, 397; Re- 

 view, 84. — Cooper & Suckley, P. R. R. Rep. XII, ii, 1859, 195. — Cooper;- Birds 

 Cal. I, 48. 



Sp. Char. Tail long, feathers graduated. Above rather dark olivaceous-cinereous; 

 top and sides of head smoky-brown. Beneath pale whitish-brown, darker on the sides. 

 Length about 4 inches ; wing, 1.90 ; tail, 2.25. 



Hab. Pacific coast of United States. 



There is quite an appreciable difference between specimens of this species 

 from Wasliiugton Territory and California ; the latter are smaller, the under 

 parts paler. In the series before us, however, we see no grounds for 

 specific distinction. 



Habits. This interestiuL; little species was first added to our fauna by the 

 indefatigable Mr. Towjiseiid in 1837. It 

 is abundant throughout the Pacific coast 

 from Fort SteUacoom to Fort Tejon. Dr. 

 Gambel found it exceedingly abundant 

 both in the Rocky Mountains and through- 

 out California. During the winter the 

 otherwise cheerless woods were alive with 

 the busy and noisy troops of these restless 



and industrious birds, gleaning their scanty pscatriparus minima. 



fare in company with the Ber/uH, in every 



possible position and manner, from bush and tree. He describes tlieir anx- 

 ious solicitous search for food as (piite curious. They kept up a continual 

 twittering, and so intent were they in their employment that they appeared 

 to lose sight of all danger, and it was by no means unusual to be so sur- 

 rounded by a flock as almost to reude.r it possible to catch them in the hand. 



Dr. Cooper found this species abundant in Washington Territory, but 

 never met with it north of the Columbia River. Dr. Suckley says it is quite 

 common at Fort Steilacoom. He coidd not, however, detect any difference 

 in its habits from those of other sjiecies of this family. He saw none in 

 Washington Ten-itory during the winter, and presumes they all migrate to 

 the South, though the rvfescais and the occidentalis are found there tlirough- 

 out the winter. Townseud, however, speaks of it as a constant resident 

 about the Columbia Ri^-er, hopping around among the bushes, hanging from 

 the twigs in the manner of other Titmice, twittering all the while with a 

 rapid enunciation resembling the words t/ishish tshist-tsee-twee. 



