NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS EGGS. 323 



739. Alaskan Chickadee. Parus cinctus alascensis. 

 Range. Northern Alaska and eastern Siberia. 



This bird, which is most like the Hudsonian Chickadee, nests in the usual 

 manner and its eggs are like those of the common Chickadee of the east. 



740. Hudsonian Chickadee. Parus hudsonicus, 

 Range. Western half of British America. 



These brown capped Chickadees are very abundant throughout 

 the northwest and are even tamer than our United States varieties. 

 They usually make their nests at low elevations in dead and decayed 

 ^^^^ stumps and line the bottom of the cavity, which varies from three to 

 [White ] e ight inches in depth, with moss and fur. Their eggs, which they 

 lay in May, June or July, are white, specked with reddish brown 

 and cannot with any certainty be distinguished from those of the Black-capped 

 Chickadees, the eggs of all the species showing considerable variations; size 

 .60 x .45. 



740a. Kowak Chickadee. P. h. stoneyi. 



Range. Kowak River, northwest Alaska. 



A larger and grayer form of the last species; nesting habits and eggs not dif- 

 fering. 



740b. Columbian Chickadee. P. h. columbianus. 



Range. Rocky Mountains from northern United States to Alaska. 



Like hudsonicus but with the crown slaty instead of brownish. No difference 

 can be distinguished either in their habits or eggs. 



740c, Canadian Chickadee. P. h. littoralis. 



Range. Eastern half of Canada and northern New England and New York. 



These birds were formerly hudsonicus in company with the western ones, but 

 they are now supposed to be a trifle smaller and with the crown duller; this 

 division does not affect the similarity of their habits and eggs. 



741. Chestnut-backed Chickadee. Parus rufescens. 

 Range. Pacific coast from Oregon to Alaska. 



Range. This species is similar to the Hudsonian in having a .^^^ 

 brown crown and black throat, but has in addition, a chestnut 

 colored back and sides. They breed locally in Oregon, more 

 commonly in Washington and are abundant in British Columbia, 

 making the nests of animal fur in holes in dead stubs. Their 

 eggs vary in number from five to eight and are creamy white, 

 dotted with reddish; size .60 x .45. Data. Dayton, Oregon, May 28, 1806. Nest 

 of hair and fur in willow stub, 10 feet up. Collector, Ellis F. Hadley. 



74 I a. California Chickadee. P. r. neglectus. 



Range. Coast regions of California. 



This variety is not as rufous on the sides as the more northern one. Its habits 

 and eggs are the same. 



74 1 b. Barlow Chickadee. P. r. barlowi. 



Range. About Monterey Bay, California. 



This variety is said to have no rusty on the flanks. Its habits and eggs are 

 like those of the others. 



