NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 421 



Hudsonian Chickadee are described as white, sparingly spotted with 

 reddish-brown and hazel, often grouped in a circle about the larger 

 end ; average size .58 x . 50. 



741 Parus rufescens TOWNS [46.] 



Chestnut-backed Chickadee. 



Hab. Northwestern coast Oregon, Washington Territory, British Columbia, and Southern Alaska. 



The Chestnut-backed Chickadee is an inhabitant of the North- 

 west coast where, in some regions, it is rather common. Mr. A. W. 

 Anthony gives it as a common winter resident of Washington county, 

 Oregon. It was first seen by him in December, 1884, in company with 

 the Oregon Chickadee, Paris atncapilhis occidentalis. A few lingered 

 to breed, but disappeared as soon as the first brood was raised. A nest 

 was found April 28, in a large fur stub three feet four inches in diame- 

 ter, running horizontally three inches then turning downward for six 

 inches before opening into the nest, which was of cow and rabbit hair. 

 It contained seven eggs with large embryos. These Mr. Anthony 

 does not describe and there appears to be no published account of 

 them. They are probably very similar to those of the Californian 

 Chickadee, P. rufescens neglectus. 



741# Parus rufescens neglectus RIDGW. [460.] 



Californian Chickadee. 



Hab. Coast district of California. 



This bird is confined to the coast regions of California where Mr. 

 W. O. Emerson informs me it can always be found in the redwood 

 belts. He has only seen two birds of this species in the vicinity 

 of Haywards, which is doubtless on account of there being no redwood 

 timber. It nests in cavities of trees and stumps, and in old Wood- 

 peckers' excavations, making the nest of quadrupeds' hair. 



Six or seven eggs are usually deposited. A set of six eggs in Mr. 

 Emerson's collection was taken by Mr. George H. Ready, April 13, 

 1885, in Santa Cruz county, California. They were taken from an old 

 cavity of a Gairdner's Woodpecker in a maple stub, eight feet from 

 the ground. The eggs are similar to some specimens of the Black- 

 capped Chickadee, Pants atricapillus, being white, sparsely marked 

 over the entire surface with red spots, and tending to form a ring at 

 the larger end; average size is .63 x .47. 



742. Chamaea fasciata GAME. [3$, fart.] 



Wren-Tit. 



Hab. Coast region of California. 



The Ground-Tit or Wren-Tit, which partakes of the features of a 

 wren and a titmouse, may not be considered a common species in the 

 Pacific Coast region of California. On account of its retired habits 



