1 66 Scott on the Birds of Arizona. [April 



234. Parus wollweberi. Bridled Titmouse.— This Titmouse I found 

 to be a rather common resident in the evergreen oak region of both the 

 Pinal and Santa Catalina Mountains. For an account of its breeding 

 habits see mj paper 'On the Breeding Habits of Some Arizona Birds' 

 (Auk, Vol. Ill, No. I, Jan., 1SS6, pp. 84-86; see also Vol. II, No. 4, p. 349, 

 Oct. 1885). 



-•35. Psaltriparus plumbeus. Lead-colored Bush-tit. — This species 

 is resident in the Catalinas up to at least 7500 feet, but is most abundant 

 in the fall months, congregating often in flocks of from twentj-five to a 

 hundred individuals. 



I found a nest that had just been completed near my house late in May, 

 1885, but the old birds, becoming alarmed, deserted their home and no 

 eggs were laid. The only other point where I have met with this bird is in 

 the Final Mountains, near Mineral Creek, where it was also resident. 



236. Auriparus flaviceps. Verdin. — Noted thi-oughout the entire 

 region up to an altitude of 4000 feet; resident and breeding wherever it 

 occurred. In the Catalina range, altitude 3500 feet, I found a nest with 

 fresh eggs May 20, 1885, and at Riverside, at a considerable lower eleva- 

 tion, I found the birds breeding late in April. 



The particular cover most aft'ected bj the birds is dense growths of 

 mesquite and cat-claw, and the nests are placed so as to be best protected 

 by the thorns of such trees and bushes. 



237. Regulus calendula. Ruby-crowned Kinglet. — In the Santa 

 Catalinas, in the evergreen oak belt, this species is a common migrant 

 and winter resident, arriving in fall about the last week in September and 

 being thus very common. Some winters, and in the spring, the numbers 

 are again largely augmented, being most abundant about March i to 10, 

 and remaining till the first week in April. I have also observed the spe- 

 cies about Tucson and in the valley of the San Fedro River in winter 

 and early spring. 



238. Polioptila caerulea. Blue-gray Gnatc.\tcher. — The Blue-gray 

 Gnatcatcher is present in some parts of the region during the entire year, 

 but is not found in winter much above the altitude of the great plains and 

 mesas — about 2000 to 2300 feet. It breeds commonly in the Santa Cata- 

 linas, and even at high altitudes. (See Auk, Vol. II, No. 4, p. 349, Octo- 

 ber, 1-885.) 



239. Polioptila plumbea. Flumbeous Gnatcatcher. — This Gnat- 

 catcher is a common resident species about Tucson and in the valley of 

 the San Fedro River. It ranges during the entire year up to an altitude 

 of about 4000 feet, in the foothills of the Santa Catalinas, where I have 

 found it more abundant than at any other point visited by me. 



A large series collected here very clearly shows the transition from the 

 lead-colored to the fully black-capped phase of plumage. This latter 

 phase of plumage is that of the male birds only, and is assumed for about 

 three months in the year. It begins to be apparent about the middle of 

 February, but the full black cap and tail is attained slowly, the first seen in 

 this condition being taken March 10. During the succeeding three months 



