112 



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



Auripariis flaviceps, Baikd. 



YELLOW-HEADED BUSH-TITMOTJSE ; VEEDIN. / ** 



^gitlmhis flaviceps, Sundevall, Ol'versigt af Vet. Ak. Fiirh. VII, v, 1850, 129. Psaltrin 

 flaviceps, ScL. P. Z. S. XXIV, March, 1856, 37. Psaltripm-iis flaviceps, ScL. Catal. 

 Am. Birds, 1861, 13, no. 79. Puroidcs flavicejjs, Baird, Birds N. Am. 1858, 400, pi. 

 liii, fig. 2. Auriparus flaviceps, Bairb, Review, 1864, 85. — Cooper, Birds C'al. I, 

 51. Conirostnim o-nmtum, Lawrence, Ann. N. Y. Lye. May, 1851, 113, pi. v, fig. 1 

 (Texas). 



Sp. Char. Above cinereous; head, all round, j'ellow ; lesser wing-coverts chestnut; 

 beneath browni.sh-white. Length, 4.50 inches; wing, 2.16; tail, 2..3.5. 

 IIab. Valleys of tlie Rio Grande and Colora<lo ; Cape St. Lucas. 



Habits. This new and interesting little species was first added to our 



fauna by Air. Lawrence in 1851, only a year 

 after its first description as a bird of Mexico. 

 Notwithstanding the abundance in wdiicli it 

 has been in certain localities, less has been 

 developed in regard to its habits and specific 

 characteristics tlian we seem to have had a 

 right to aiiticiiiate. 



It was found in Western Texas, in Mexico, 

 in the lower valleys of New Mexico and 

 Arizona, and is very alnindant at Cape St. 

 Lncas. Of the eighteen species of birds found by Mr. Jolm Xantus breed- 

 ing in the last-named locality, this one was regarded as the most abundant. 

 In a letter from that gentleman, written in August, 1859, he mentioned 

 tliat he had collected over one hundred eggs of this species, during that 

 season, in tlie inimediate vicinity of Cape St. Lucas. 



Dr. Heenaann, in his report on the birds observed in Lieutenant William- 

 son's explorations, states that he first discovered this species in Soutliern 

 California, at tlie terminus of the Moliave 

 Eiver. Owing to their extreme wildness, 

 he was not able to oljtain any sjipcimons. 

 In searching for their food, he; states tliat 

 tliey often remained suspended witli tlieir 

 backs downward, after the manner of tlie 

 Titmice. He found their nests quite 

 abundant, though from the lateness of 

 the season few of the birds were re- 

 maining, in the neighborhood of Fort 

 Yuma. Dr. Heermann describes their 



nests as spherical, formed of twigs, and having the entrance on one side. 

 Tlie interior was lined witli down and featliers, and contained usually from 



Auriparus Jtaviceps. 



\ 





A uriparus /fhtnceps. 



