518 SwARTH, California Forms of Psaltriparus. [oct. 



Creek; Parker Creek). A series of sixteen specimens (eight adults 

 and eight juveniles) from this section, presents several points of 

 interest. These birds, together with those from the Sierras, ex- 

 hibit the extreme of grayness in appearance reached by any bush- 

 tits of this species. Comparing Warner Mountain and Sierra 

 Nevada birds, taking comparable adults and young of each, there 

 are no distinguishable differences in coloration. In measurements 

 the former average a trifle larger. In each of the two series there 

 are individuals in which the pileum is much less markedly con- 

 trasted with the back than is the case with specimens from any other 

 point. In an adult male from the Warner Mountains (no. 15297) 

 the difference in color on pileum and back is hardly appreciable, 

 nor are the two areas sharply separated. This bird is strikingly 

 similar to an adult male from the east slope of the Sierra Nevada 

 which I have referred to 'plumbeus (see beyond), in which there is 

 nearly as distinct a suggestion of a cap, differently colored from the 

 back. 



The Warner Mountain birds average somewhat larger than 

 specimens of californicus from other points, as on the western slope 

 of the Sierras. Aside from this slight difference, however, they 

 apparently are not to be distinguished from examples from the 

 central and southern Sierra Nevada. Unfortunately there is a 

 dearth of data and specimens from much of the region inter^^ening 

 between the central Sierras and the Warner Mountains, and 

 whether or not there is continuous distribution of bush-tits between 

 is one of the points remaining to be worked out. 



Sierra Nevada (specimens from Placer, Madera, Tulare, Kern, 

 and Inyo counties). Fifty-one specimens are available from the 

 general region indicated above. In this representation there are 

 small series from two different points on the western slope of the 

 Sierras, of particular interest when considered together. These 

 are: Three males from Raymond, Madera County, taken April 19 

 and 20, 1911 ; and six males from Placer County: two adults. Blue 

 Canyon, October 17 and 20, 1912; three immatures. Blue Canyon, 

 October 17 and 20, 1912; one male, age not indicated. Gold Run, 

 October 19, 1902. The Placer County birds have all nearly or quite 

 acquired their fresh winter plumage, and may be considered as pre- 

 senting the true colors of the subspecies californicus, unmodified 



