134 THE TITMOUSE. 
tits and golden-crests, fly on without any ap- 
parent care as to direction—constantly flitting 
from tree to tree, twittering a low sweet note, as if 
singing tg themselves—sometimes climbing back 
downwards along the under-sides of the topmost 
branches of the tall pines, peering into every 
crevice for insect-hiders ; at others, descending to 
the ground, they cling to the slender flower- 
stalks to catch drowsy insects, sipping the sweets 
stored in these perfumed drinking-places. 
They nest in June, making a hole in the dead 
branch of a pine-tree ; there is no lining in the 
hole, but the eggs are laid on the dust made in 
enlarging or boring it. Eggs in British Museum 
collection from Colville. They range northward 
to Fort Simpson, and southward through Oregon 
and California. This applies to all three species. 
The followimg four species represent the 
Tits :— 
Western Tirmouse (Parus occidentalis, 
Baird).—Common on Vancouver Island and 
along the whole course of the Boundary line to 
the summit of the Rocky Mountains. <A few 
remain during the winter at Colville, but the 
ereater portion leave in November and arrive 
again in April; they nest in June, choosing a 
hole in a dead tree; line the nest with grass and 
