DESCRIPTION OF LONG-TAILED CHICKADEE 121 



strongly edged, especially on the secondaries and lateral tail-feathers, with 

 hoary-white, which usually passes entirely around the ends of these feathers. 

 Sides of the head and neck snowy- white. Cap pure black and very extensive, 

 reaching to between the shoulders. Black of throat extending to the breast. 

 Bill and feet plumbeons-black. Larger than P. atricainllm, the tail decid- 

 edly longer ; average general dimensions about those of the maximum of 

 P. afi-icapiUm, and minimum length of tail about the same as the maximum 

 of that of P. atricapUlus. Length averaging at least 5r} ; extent, 8i or more ; 

 wing, 2t-2| ; tail, 2^-3. 



Young : Similar to the adult, but with the usual indications of immaturity 

 in a more sordid coloration, less extent and intensity of the black cap, &c. 



The Colorado region does not, it seems, furnish us with typical atrica- 

 jAUus, still less with any smaller, darker-colored and shorter-tailed form to 

 correspond with the P. carolinensis of similar latitudes on the Atlantic side, 

 In this region, the Pari are mainly confined to the upper and to mountain- 

 ous portions ; and, P. montanus aside, all the specimens I have seen are derived 

 from the prolongation southward along the mountains of the true septeiitrio- 

 nalis form. The above description is taken from New Mexican, Coloradan 

 and Utah specimens, which are among the largest, hoariest and longest- 

 tailed I have seen — quite equal in these respects to the series I procured on 

 the Upper Missouri in the winter of 1872-3. 



NOTHIXG in my own experience with this bird, or in the 

 recorded observations of other naturalists, indicates any 

 real differences between its habits and those of its several allies. 

 While at Fort Randall, Dakota, where it is resident and 

 abundant, I thought I perceived a peculiarity in the intona- 

 tion of the two-syllabled note which is uttered at the ap- 

 proach of the breeding season; but as I only compared the 

 sound with my recollections, the impression received may have 

 had little real foundation. I never saw the bird in Arizona, 

 and do not think it has been found in this Territory ; but it 

 occurs in the mountains of New Mexico at corresponding lati- 

 tudes, and thence northward into the British Possessions. 



I shall not here enter into any general account of the habits 

 of the Chickadees ; I have already outlined the family traits, 

 and almost every one who is interested in birds is capable of 

 filling in the details from his own experience. But I will repro- 

 duce a pleasant passage from Dr. Brewer's pen, to illustrate 

 how far the stout-heartedness of these small creatures may be 

 pushed under the stimulus of maternal love. I only know of 

 a parallel case in the instance of the Crossbill, as told by the 

 same author : — 



" Their courage and devotion to their young is a remarkable 

 trait with the whole race, and with none more than with the 

 present species. On one occasion a Black-Cap was seen to tly 



