350 LAND BIRDS 
confirmed in this case by the fact that, although I was 
within twelve feet of the nest whenever either bird 
entered it during that first day, not once was any food 
visible in the beak of either. After the fourth day 
the worms and insects carried were frequently projecting 
on each side of the small beak, but up to that time there 
had been none seen, though a careful watch was kept 
with both opera glasses and naked eyes. On the six- 
teenth day one of the young appeared in the doorway, 
but dodged back when I advanced a cautious hand. He 
was very like the adults, but somewhat browner on his 
head, and the under parts were clouded with light and 
dark gray. The crest was developing finely, and: gave 
him a pompous look in funny contrast to his timid man- 
ner, as he raised it in surprise just before leaving the 
doorway. As my hand approached, the crest flattened 
and the little fellow seemed to crouch and slide down 
backward into the darkness. 
738. MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE. — Parus gambeli. 
Famity: The Nuthatches and Tits. 
Length: 5.00-5.75. 
Adults: Throat and top of head black ; white line over eye, black line 
through eye; sides of head white; upper parts gray ; under parts 
grayish white, becoming dark gray on sides, washed with rusty. 
Feographical Distribution: Western United States in Boreal and Tran- 
sition zones from the Rockies to the Pacifie coast, and from British 
Columbia to Lower California. 
California Breeding Range: \n Transition zone along the whole length 
of the Sierra Nevada, 
Breeding Season: June. 
