WITH BROWN PREDOMINATING 301 
species, like the other Bush-tits found in California, are 
of untold benefit in destroying eggs, grubs, and adult 
insects injurious to the trees, especially black scales and 
caterpillars. 
741. CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE. 
rufescens. 
Parus 
Famity : The Nuthatches and Tits. 
Length : 4.50-5.00. 
Adults ; Throat blackish brown ; crown and nape clear brown ; sides of 
head white ; line over eye black; back reddish brown ; under parts 
white ; sides chestnut. 
Young: Crown, nape, and throat dark brown ; back olive-brown. 
Geographical Distribution: Alaska to California (Mt. Shasta). 
California Breeding Range: Northern humid coast belt in Del Norte, 
Humboldt, and Mendocino counties. 
Breeding Season: April. 
Nest: 12 to 40 feet from ground, in dead trees, either in natural cavities 
or old woodpeckers’ holes ; materials cattle hair, fur, wool, feathers, or 
moss. 
Eggs: 5 to 7; white, sometimes finely speckled with rusty brown. Size 
0.64 X 0.47. 
In the northern humid coast belt along the most 
northern edge of California the Chestnut-backed Chicka- 
dee is a common resident. He keeps to the more open 
woods along the roadways, and is even more fearless 
than the common chickadee of the Eastern States. 
Hanging head downward over a slender twig, searching 
for bugs under the young leaves, swinging in happy- 
go-lucky fashion from the tip of a branch, scampering in 
flocks through the tall trees, he is a most fascinating 
