PARID.E — THE TITMICE. IQU 



Fsaltriparus minimus, var. minimus, Bonap. 



LEAST BT78H-TIT1COUSE. 



Pants minhmis, Towxmkxp, J. A. N. So. VII, ir, 1837, 100. — AuD. Orn. Biog. IV, 1838, 

 382, i»l. ccclxxxii, tigs. 5, 6. - Ib. Birds Am. II, 1841, 160, pi. cxxx. Pixcllc minima, 

 Bon. Consp. 1850, 230. P.-uiItria minima. Cassis, Illust. 1853, 20. Psaltriparus 

 minimm. Box. C. K. XXXVUI, 1854, 62. — B.vuiD, Birds X. \m. 1858, 397; He- 

 view, 84. — Cooper & Suckley, P. K. K. Kep. XII, ii, 1851), 195. — Cooper, Birds 

 Cal. I, 48. 



Sp. Char. Tail long, feathers graduated. Above rather dark olivaceous-cinereous ; 

 top and sides of head smoky-brown. Beneath pale whitish-brown, darker on the sides. 

 Length about 4 inches ; wing, 1.90 ; tail, 2.25. 



Hab. Pacific coast of United States. 



There is quite an appreciable diftereiice between specimens of this species 

 from Washington Territory and California ; the latter are smaller, the under 

 parts paler. In the series before us, however, we see no grounds for 

 specific distinction. 



Habits. This interesting little species was first added to our fauna by the 

 indefatigable Mr. Townsend in 1837. It 

 is abundant throughout the Pacific coast 

 from Fort Steilacoora to Fort Tejon. Dr. 

 Gambel found it exceedingly abundant 

 both in the Eocky Mountains and through- 

 out California. During the winter the 

 otherwise cheerless woods were alive with 

 the busy and noisy troops of these restless 

 and industrious birds, sleaninjT their scanty „ ,. . 



' o o J Psaltriparus tntHitnus. 



fare in company with the Reguli, in every 



possible position and manner, from bush and tree. He describes their anx- 

 ious solicitous search for food as quite curious. They kept up a continual 

 twittering, and so intent were they in their employment that they appeared 

 to lose sight of all danger, and it was by no means unusual to be so sur- 

 rounded by a flock as almost to render it possible to catch them in the hand. 

 Dr. Cooper found this species abundant in Washington Territory', but 

 never met with it north of the Columliia River. Dr. Suckley says it is quite 

 common at Fort Steilacoom. He could not, however, detect any difference 

 in its habits from those of other species of this family. He saw none in 

 Washington Territory during the winter, and presumes tliey all migrate to 

 the South, though the rvfcsccns and the occidtntalis are found there through- 

 out the winter. Townsend, however, speaks of it as a constant resident 

 about the Columbia liiver, hopping around among the bushes, hanging from 

 the twigs in the manner of other Titmice, twittering all the while with a 

 rapid enunciation resembling the words thahish tshist-tscc-twce. 



