D4 LAND BIRDS 
pied with the first series. Incubation lasts twelve days, 
and is, | think, attended to solely by the female, although 
the male is frequently at the nest both to feed her and 
to watch over — but not brood — the eggs. 
746. VERDIN. — Aurtparus flaviceps. 
Famity: The Nuthatches and Tits. 
Length: 4.00-4.60. 
Adult Male: Crown bright olive ; forehead sometimes orange ; rest of 
head, neck, and breast yellow; upper parts gray, with red-brown 
patch on shoulders ; under parts whitish. 
Adult Female: Similar to male, but coloring duller. 
Young: Upper parts gray, tinged with brownish ; no yellow, and no 
chestnut shoulder patches ; under parts white. 
Geographical Distribution: From Southern Texas to the Pacific, and 
from latitude 38° to Mexico and Lower California. 
California Breeding Range: Local in the desert regions of Southeastern 
California along the Colorado River district. 
Nest: Large, retort-shaped or globular ; composed externally of thorny 
twigs and stems interwoven; thickly lined with weed stems and 
feathers ; a small round entrance at one side; placed in bushes or 
low trees. 
Lggs: 3 to 6; pale bluish white, speckled with red-brown. Size 0.59 
xX 0.43. 
THE Yellow-headed Bush-tit, or Verdin, occurs most 
abundantly in California at the extreme southeastern 
corner bordering on the Colorado River. He is a tiny 
mite, not so large as the Rivoli hummingbird, which 
lives in the same district, across the river, in Arizona. 
But although so small a bird, the Verdin has most re- 
markable traits, and is the most fascinating of all the 
California birds. From his wee yellow throat he pours 
such a flood of music that you search eagerly for the 
singer, and can hardly credit your senses when you find 
