634 HISTORY OF THE 



the lowest computation, over two hundred thousand eggs alone,, 

 of noxious insects, in the course of a year. That one small 

 bird is thus able to accomplish so much good, in destroying 

 these myriads of vermin, is an appeal to the good sense of the 

 farmer for the protection of the whole class that should not be 

 slighted." 



Their nests are placed near the ground, in holes made by 

 themselves in decaying trees and stumps. They are composed 

 of bits of moss, interwoven with fur and fine hair, and occasion- 

 ally a few downy feathers. Eggs four to eight, .60x.4:7; white, 

 speckled with reddish brown and lilac stains, generally the 

 thickest around the larger end; in form, oval. 



Parus atricapillus septentrionalis (Harris). 



LONG-TAILED CHICKADEE. 

 PLATE XXXV. 



Resident; quite common in the western part of the State, 

 along the streams fringed w^ith trees and bushes; rare in the 

 eastern portion, though not uncommon in winter. Begin laying 

 about the middle of April. 



B. 289, 289a. K. 41a. C. 45. G. 18, 322. U. 73.5a. 



Habitat. Rocky Mountain regions, from New Mexico ta 

 Alaska; west to the edge of the Great Basin; east to eastern Kan- 

 sas and Manitoba; a resident throughout their range. (From 

 observations, I am led to think they are partially migratory.) 



.Sp. Char. "Head above aud below black, separated by white on the sides 

 of the head; back brownish ash. Beneath, white, tinged with pale brownish 

 white on the sides. Outer tail feathers, primaries and secondaries broadly edged 

 with white, involving nearly the whole outer web of outer tail feathers. Tail 

 much graduated; the outer feather about .50 of an inch shorter than the middle. 

 Second quill about as long as the secondaries. 



"This race is very similar to the P. atricapillus, but differs from it somewhat 

 as atricapillus does from caroUnensis. Its size is much greater; the tail propor- 

 tionally longer, and much more graduated; the white of the wing and tail is 

 purer and more expanded. The bill appears to be stouter and more conical. 

 The back has perhaps a little more yellowish. The spurious or first primary is 

 larger." 



