100 NORTH AMKrMCAXBIUDa 



nrafh wliiti", tin«ri'<l witli palf lnowniiili-whito f»n the sides. Outer tail-lejithei^, primaries, 

 and secondaries broadly ed^'ed with while, iiivolvinj^ nearly the wh<»le outer web of outer 

 tail-t'eatlier. Tail inui h jrraduated ; the outer leather about ,oO of an inch shorttJr than 

 the midtlle. Second «iuill about as lonf; as the secondaries. 

 IIau. Kejjion of Missouri Uiver to Kt>cky Mountains. 



This nice is very similar to tlie P. atricapiUm, but differs from it 

 somewhat as atrivapllhui does from caroliniiisis. Its size is much greater; 

 the tail proportionally longer, and much more graduated ; the white of 

 wing and tail purer and more extended. The bill appeal's to be stouter 

 and more conical. The back has, jHirhaps, a little more yellowish. The 

 spurious or tirst primary is larger. 



It will be a ditticult matter to retain this as a species distinct from 

 atrirapillus, in view of the insensible gradation from one form to the other ; 

 and it may be looked upon, with scarcely a doubt, as simply a long-tailed 

 Western variety of the common species. P. occidental Is, and, probably, even 

 P. carol incnsix, may even fall under the same category, their peculiarities 

 of color and size being precisely such as would a priori be expected from 

 their geographical distribution. 



Habits. The Long-tailed Titmouse appears to have an extended distribu- 

 tion between the Mississippi Valley and tlie IJocky Mountains, from Texas 

 into the British Possessions, specimens having been received from Fort 

 Simpson and Lake Winnipeg. Among the notes of the late Roljert Ken- 

 nicott is one dated Lake Winnipeg, June G, mentioning the dissection of a 

 female of this species found to contain a full-sized egg. A memorandum 

 made by Mr. Ross, dated at Fort William, May 15, speaks of this bird 

 as abundant at Fort Simpson, from August until November, the last having 

 been seen November 10. One was shot, June 2, on Winnipeg Kiver, "a 

 female, who was about to lay her ^^ji^^ 



In regard to its distinct individual history but little is as yet known. It 

 was discovered and fii*st described by the late Edward Harris, of New Jersey, 

 who accompanied Mr. Audulxju in his expedition to the upper branches of 

 the Missouri River, and who obtained this bird on the Yellowstone, about 

 thirty miles above its junction M'ith the ^Missouri, on the 26th of July. He 

 describes its notes as similar to those of the common atricapilhis, but less 

 harsh and quenilous, and more licpiid in their utterance. Subsequently 

 specimens were obtained by Mr. Kern, artist to the exploring expedition 

 under Fremont in 1846. 



It is the largest species of this genus in America. In its breeding-habits 

 it is not different from the Eastern representatives. Mr. R. F. Goss found 

 this species breeding abundantly at Neosho Falls, in Kansas. They nest in 

 decayed stumps, hollow trees, branches, logs, etc., after the manner of the 

 atricapillas. The excavation is usually ten or twelve inches, and even 

 more, in depth. The nest is warmly made of a loose soft felt composed of 

 the fur find fine hair of small quadrupeds, feathers, and the finer mosses. 



