36 



SIXGIXG BIRDS — OSCIXES. 



ish-wliito, tinged with lead-coloi- on the sides. First and seeoiid tail feathers white, except 

 at the extreme base, which is lilack, tlie color extending obli(jucly ibrward on the inner 

 web; third and iburth black, with white tip. very slight on the latter: iitth and sixth en- 

 tirely black. Upper tail coverts blackish-jjhnnbeuns. Quills edged externally with pale 



bluish-gray, which is much broader, and nearly white on the tertials. Female without any 

 black on the head. Length, 4.D0; extent, (i.4U ; wing, 2.12; tail, 2.25. Iris brown; bill 

 and feet black. 



Hah. United States from the Atlantic to the Pacific, south of hit. 42°. South to Gua- 

 temala. 



Tliis little bird is found in the southern part of California, but seems less 

 coninion than the peculiarly western P. mdanura, though they are so nearly 

 similar in habits and appearance that it is nearly inipossil)le to identify 

 without shooting them, except when the black crown of the latter is visible. 

 They all keep about the bushes, hunting insects in pau'S or small companies, 

 and seem as much like warblers in haliits as titmice. In the East this .spe- 

 cies also freqitents tall trees, and is alway.s rapidly moving about with hang- 

 ing wings and elevated tail, utteruig at times a faint, ahnost hissing or 

 squeaking note, repeated about three times, Kke that of the titmice. I 

 found them at Fort Mojave, March 20th, and think some winter there; 

 also at San Diego, in December. In the East they build their nest in 

 May, among twigs, from ten to fifty feet from the ground, forming it of 

 scales of buds, leaves, blossoms, fern-do'\A'n, and silk of plants, lined with 

 horse-hairs, and covered with lichens. The eggs are four or five, white, 

 with a few reddish dots near the larger end, and they are said to raise two 

 broods ui the season. They are not believed to winter north of the Gidf of 

 Mexico. (NuttaU.) 



I did not find this, or the otlier species, at Santa Barbara, but this one 

 was collected as far north as Yreka, Calilbrnia, near lat. 42°, by Mr. VuiUe, 

 on May 26th. 



