Mountain-Chickadee 507 



higher elevations of the mountains, occasionally associating with 

 the Long-tailed Chickadee, but as a nile keeping higher up among the 

 pines and spruces, where it breeds, chiefly between 8,000 feet and 

 timber line. In winter it is often found at lower elevations among 

 the pinons and cedars of the foothills, even as low as Grand Junction 

 (4,500 feet), where it has been noticed from October to April (Rockwell), 

 and Pueblo at 4,600 feet (Beckham). It has been recorded from Estes 

 Park (Kellogg) and Sulphiu* Springs (Warren) in the north to Fort 

 Lewis (Gihnan) in the south, and appears to be a common bird 

 throughout the mountainous part of the State. 



Habits. — This Chickadee does not appear to differ 

 very materially from its long-tailed congener. It is 

 generally noticed in small bands or parties actively 

 engaged in its search for insects, their larvae and eggs, 

 about the rough bark and the buds of trees in the 

 winter. 



Gale took a large number of nests near Gold Hill in 

 Boulder co., between 8,200 and 10,000 feet ; these were 

 generally in aspen trees or stubs, sometimes in pines. 

 They were either excavated by the birds themselves or, 

 as often as not, an old Woodpecker's or other hole was 

 taken possession of. The nest itself is composed of a 

 felted mass of rabbits' fur or hairs, with occasionally 

 a little moss as well. The eggs, usually seven, but 

 varying in number, are sometimes pure white without 

 spots, as was first pointed out by W. G. Smith to Elliot 

 Coues (83), and sometimes faintly speckled mth reddish, 

 the proportion of spotted to plain eggs being about 

 equal. The birds are courageous in defence of their 

 nest-holes, and often contend with House-Wrens and 

 Bluebirds for the possession of a desirable habitation. 

 Before the young are hatched the nest is very difficult 

 to locate, but afterwards the constant requirements of 

 the large number of young soon betray the spot. Gale 

 noted that fresh eggs were to be found between May 

 20th and June 15th. 



