PERCHING BIRDS 



741. CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE. Penthestes rufescens rufescens. 



Range. Pacific coast from Oregon to Alaska. 



This species is similar to the Hudsonian in having a 

 brown crown and black throat, but has in addition, a chest- 

 nut 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. 



74 la. CALIFORNIA CHICKADEE. Penthestes rufescens 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. 



741b. BARLOW'S CHICKADEE. Penthestes rufescens 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. 



742a. PALLID WREN-TIT. Chamcea fasciata henshawi 



Range. Interior of California from Lower California to the Sacramento 

 Valley. 



This duller colored variety has the same nesting habits and similar eggs to 

 those of the Coast Wren-tit. 



742b. COAST WREN-TIT. Chamcea fasciata fasciata. 



Range. Pacific coast from southern California north to Oregon. 



These peculiar brownish gray colored birds frequent the tan- 

 gled underbrush of ravines and mountain sides where they lead 

 the life of a recluse. They nest at low elevations in the densest 

 thickets, making them of twigs, strips of bark, grasses and 

 feathers, compactly woven together and located in bushes from 

 one to four feet from the ground. They lay from three to five 

 plain, unmarked, pure white eggs; size .75 x .54. Data. 

 Wrights, Cal. Nest in a tangle of vines in a deep ravine; com- 

 posed of strips of bark, moss and grasses, lined with cattle hair; a bulky nest. 



743. BusH-TiT. Psaltriparus minimus minimus. 



Range. Pacific coast of northern California, Oregon and Washington. 



These diminutive little birds build nests that are marvels of 

 architecture, making long purse-like structures, suspended from 

 twigs usually at low elevations from the ground. The nests are 

 made of moss, lichens, fibres, ferns and grasses and lined with 

 feathers or wool; the opening is on one side near the top, and a 

 typical nest averages 12 inches in length, by 4.5 inches in diameter 

 at the bottom and 3 at the top. Their eggs number from four to 

 nine and are pure white; size .54 x .40. The birds are very active and have the 

 same habits as the Chickadees, being seen often suspended, head downward, 

 from the ends of twigs, in their search for insects. 



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