242 PASSERES : Perching Birds 



MEXICAN CHICADEE See Appendix. 



(737. Penthestes sclateri) 5 in. 



BUSH-TIT 



(743. Psaltriparus minimus minimus) 4| in. 



Gray-brown above; lighter below; crown usually browner. 



The Bush-Tits have an interesting way of " filtering" through 

 a tree. A loose flock of a dozen or more will straggle into a tree 

 and before the last bird alights the advance guard is already 

 leaving the other side. 



Call: An explosive "tst," often repeated. Alarm-note: 

 "Sree-e-e." 



Nest, a long, narrow, suspended pouch with entrance near 

 top. 



LEAD-COLORED BUSH-TIT 



(744. Psaltriparus plumbeus) 4| in. 



Whole upper parts bluish gray; sides of head brown- washed; 

 nearly white below. 



Habits the same as those of the California bird, allowing for 

 different habitat. 



VERDIN 



(746. Auriparus flaviceps flaviceps) 4i in. 



Male: Head yellow; shoulders chestnut (not visible in field); 

 otherwise dull gray above; grayish white below. 



Female: Similar, but yellow much duller and less extensive. 



Nest of thorny twigs, somehow bound together into an 

 elongated ball, with tiny entrance on one side, often nearly 

 concealed. 



