THE CHICKADEE. 273 



summer in (Uir mountains and in British Columbia, are enjoving sunshine in 

 IMexico, this Alaskan coast dweller is re-dyeing his plumage under the dull 

 skies of the Pacific watershed. 



The Sitkan Kinglet is not abundant in winter, altho it enjoys a general 

 distribution. It does not associate in flocks of its own kind to any large extent, 

 but oftener two or three individuals join themselves to winter bird troops 

 consisting of Chickadees, Seattle Wrens. W^estern Golden-crowned Kinglets, 

 Puget Sound Bush-Tits, etc. At such times it is noticeable that they keep 

 largely to the lower levels, for they hunt and titter among the spirrea thickets, 

 salal bushes, logs and evergreen saplings, while their cousins only occasionally 

 venture within five or ten feet of the ground, and range from there to the 

 tops of the tallest firs. 



The notes, too. of the Sitkan Kinglet are low-pitched and explosive, as 

 compared with the fairy sibilations of the Golden-crowns. The neighborhood 

 of "Seattle" Wrens and Western Winter Wrens will ser\-e also to throw a 

 certain wren-like qualit}- of the Alaskan's note into fine relief. 



No. 106. 



CHICKADEE. 



A. O. U. No. 735. Penthestes atricapillus (Linn."). 



Synonyms. — Bi.ack-capped Chick.xdf.E. BL.\CK-c.\prKD Titmouse. 



Description. — .Idiilt: Top of head and nape shining black; throat dead 

 Ijlack with \\hitish skirting posteriorly; a white band on side of head and neck, 

 increasing in width Ijehind : back and scapulars gray with an olivaceous cast and 

 more or less admixture of buffy at the edges and as skirting; wings and tail dusky, 

 more or less edged, especially on greater coverts and tertials, with ashy or whitish; 

 breast and belly white; sides, flanks and crissum washed with buffy or light rusty 

 (nearly whitish in summer) ; bill and feet dark. Rather variable in size; one adult 

 specimen measures: wing 2.27 (57.7) : tail 2.10 (53.3) ; bill .34 (8.6). Another: 

 wing 2.70 (68.6) ; tail 2.57 (65.3) ; bill .38 (9.7). Length, 4.75-5.73 (120.6-146.1 ) ; 

 average of eight specimens of medium size: wing 2.60 (66) : tail 2.44 ( 62 ) ; bill 



.36 (g.-!)- 



Recognition Marks. — \\'arbler size; of ligliter coloration but not certainly 

 distinguishable afield from P. a. occidciitalis (q. v.). 



Nesting. — Nest: a heavy mat of moss, grasses, and plant-down, lined with 

 rabbits' fur, wool, hair, or feathers, in made hole or natural cavity of stump or 

 tree, usually not over ten feet from the ground, and near water. Eggs: 5-8, 

 white, marked sparingly with reddish brown, in small spots, tending to gather 

 about larger end. Av. size, .58 x .47 (14.7x11.9). Season: April i5-l\Iay 15; 

 one brood. 



