THE MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE. 279 
or three feet. The near presence of water is a prime requisite, and a low 
swampy woods is the favorite location. Sometimes a deserted nest of a 
Gairdner Woodpecker may be used; but, on the other hand, excavations 
may be made in green wood at no little cost of exertion on the part of 
the midgets. Several nests I have seen in willow and poplar trees, and at 
a height of fifteen or twenty feet. 
Young Chickadees are such cunning little creatures that the temptation 
to fondle them is sometimes irresistible. ‘The parents may have very 
decided views as to the propriety of such action, or they may regard you 
as some benevolent giant whose ways are above suspicion. Not infrequently, 
if the young are kindly treated, the parent bird will venture upon the hand 
or shoulder to pursue its necessary offices. 
No. 108. 
MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE. 
A. O. U. No. 738. Penthestes gambeli (Ridgway). 
Description.—ddults in spring and swmmer: Somewhat as in P. atricapillus, 
head and throat similar but black interrupted by strong white superciliary stripe 
nearly or quite meeting fellow on forehead; upperparts plain deep ashy gray, 
or mouse-gray ; wings and tail deeper gray with some pale grayish edging; sides 
of head and neck white; underparts (except throat) dull white more or less 
washed on sides, flanks, and under tail-coverts with gray. Adults in fall and 
winter: Upperparts washed with buffy; brownish on sides; some white edging 
on forehead and superciliary stripe broader. Young birds are duller as to black 
of head and neck, and have a less distinct superciliary. Length about 5.00 (127) ; 
wing 2.75 (70); tail 2.35 (60); bill .40 (10.2) ; tarsus .7o (18). 
Recognition Marks.—Warbler size; much like Oregon Chickadee, but white 
superciliary distinctive; range higher (on the average) than other species. 
Nesting.—Nest: quite as in atricapillus and similarly situated. Eggs: 5-8, 
pure white, or only faintly marked with reddish brown. Av. size, .60 x .45 (15.2 x 
11.4). Season: May; one brood. 
General Range.—Mountains of western United States trom the Rockies to 
the Pacific Coast; north to British Columbia (chiefly east of the Cascades) ; south 
to northern Lower California. 
Range in Washington.—Resident in the mountains and timbered foothills, 
chtefly east of the (Cascade) divide; casual at Seattle. 
Authorities.—|‘‘Mountain Chickadee’ Johnson, Rep. Gov. W. T. 1884 
(885), p. 22.] [Parus montanus, Gambel, Cooper and Suckiey, Rep. Pac. R. R. 
Surv. XII. 1860, p. 194. “Fort Dalles’ (Baird, “Fort Dalles, Oregon’). Nota 
valid Washington record.]| Parus gambeli Lawrence, Auk, Vol. IX. Jan. 1892, 
Do aly,  CeSy IES IDES IDE IIe 
Specimens.—U. of W. Prov. C. 
