V0l ifl^ XI1 ] General Notes. 499 



larly inhabited this region. This belief was due the identifications of a 

 local oologist, who sent out sets of eggs, taken here, labelled as Penthestes 

 a. atricapillus. 



The truth is that the species found with us is the Carolina Chickadee 

 (Penthestes c. carolinensis). In order to prove this statement the writer 

 has made a careful study of specimens from various parts of the region 

 and has yet to find one Penthestes a. atricapillus. Breeding birds were 

 examined as follows: A nest found May 1, 1915, was built in a cavity made 

 by the birds in the top of a decayed fence post. This post stood in a creek 

 valley and was at the side of a lane which wound about the base of a steep 

 wooded hillside. The female bird was captured on the nest and proved 

 to be Penthestes c. carolinensis. 



A second nest, discovered May 8, was built in a cavity at the top of a 

 fence post which stood on the border of a field and at a public roadside. 

 The female was lifted from six slightly incubated eggs and carefully ex- 

 amined; she was a typical specimen of Penthestes c. carolinensis. Locality: 

 One mile north of the West Virginia line. 



A third nest, found on May 9, was situated in a top of a fence post. 

 This stood on the border of a village. The birds were seen to change places 

 on the nest and one was captured and examined. It proved to be Pen- 

 thestes c. carolinensis. Locality: Blacksville, West Virginia, a small town 

 lying on the Mason and Dixon Line. 



Breeding birds were examined in the region of Washington, central 

 Washington County, and also found to be Penthestes c. carolinensis. 



In order to further establish proof as to the species found here I have 

 asked two West Virginia ornithologists to inform me as to the species found 

 in their respective regions. Rev. Earl A. Brooks of Weston, West Vir- 

 ginia, who has studied the bird life of many parts of his state, says that 

 Penthestes c. carolinensis, is the species inhabiting the hill country of north- 

 ern West Virginia. He informs me that only in the higher mountain 

 regions has he found Penthestes a. atricapillus. 



Mr. George M. Sutton, ornithologist at Bethany College, in the Pan- 

 handle of northern West Virginia informs me that the species found there, 

 since his arrival a year ago, is Penthestes c. carolinensis. He adds that only 

 once has he noted the Black-cap: in the late fall of 1914. 



Mr. W. E. Clyde Todd in charge of the birds at the Carnegie Museum, 

 Pittsburg, Pa., tells me that there is a specimen of P. c. carolinensis 

 in the museum collection which was taken near Washington, Pa. He 

 says that he is not surprised to learn that the Carolina Chickadee dwells 

 in this region. — Samuel S. Dickey, Waynesburg College, Waynesburg, 

 Penn. 



Winter Birds at Wareham, Mass. — It may be of interest to record 

 at Wareham, Massachusetts, during the past winter, the following species: 

 Vesper Sparrow, Poacetes gramineus gramineus, two. 

 Chipping Sparrow, Spizella passerina passerina, three. 



