354 LAND BIRDS 
Nest : In deserted woodpecker hole, or in natural cavity in stub, from 2 
to 10 feet from the ground ; lined with cow hair, rabbit fur, wool, or 
moss. 
Eggs: 5 to 9; white, sparsely specked with rusty. Size 0.63 X 0.47. 
THE Californian Chickadee is confined to the coast 
region of California, and, Mr. Otto Emerson says, can 
always be found in the redwood belt. In habits it is 
similar to the chestnut-backed chickadee, nesting rather 
higher up in the trees than the mountain variety. 
744. LEAD-COLORED BUSH-TIT. — Psaltriparus 
pl umbeus. 
Famity: The Nuthatches and Tits. 
Length: 4.12-4.60. 
Adults: Upper parts bluish gray; sides of head brown ; under parts 
gray, merging to white on middle of breast ; belly washed with light 
grayish brown. 
Geographical Distribution: Rocky Mountain district west to the Sierra 
Nevada, south to New Mexico and Arizona. 
California Breeding Range: Desert ranges southeast of the Sierra 
Nevada. 
Breeding Season: April. 
Nest: Pensile ; gourdlike in form; of plant down, white sage leaves, 
spider webs, small bits of lichens and moss ; the whole carefully lined 
with small feathers. Entrance, small round hole in wall of nest near 
the top. Walls 14 inches thick at bottom, but 3 inch thick at top. 
Nest placed in low oaks and nut pines, 12 to 15 feet from the ground. 
Eggs: 4; white. Size 0.53 x 0.40. 
THE Lead-colored Bush-tit is a common resident of 
the desert ranges southeast of the Sierra Nevada, feeding 
in the junipers and nut pines, and usually to be seen in 
flocks. 
Their constant twittering, though so faint, reminds 
one of the chatter of a flock of English sparrows, and 
