PARID.E — THE TITMICE. HI 



Had. Southern Rockv Mountain roirion of United States, from mountains of West 

 Arizona to Green River, Wyoming; we;;tto Carson City, Xevada (Ridgway). 



This variety is very similar to the Psaltriimnts minimus of the west coast, 

 which it represents in the llocky ^luiintaiu region. It is, liowever, apprecia- 

 bly larger, the wings and tail proportionally longer. The top of the head is 

 plumbeous, uniform with the back, instead of smoky-brown. The back is a 

 paler ash, the under parts darker. 



H.VB1TS. Of the history of this variety but little is known. It is found in 

 the southern portion of the Ifocky Mountain regions, within the United 

 States, in Arizona and New Mexico. The extent of its area of distribution 

 remains to be ascertained. \)v. Kennerly met with it on Little Colorado 

 liiver, where he observed it among the scattered bushes along the banks of 

 the river, occurring in large flocks. These passed rapidly from place to place, 

 uttering their short, quick notes. He afterward met with them along the 

 head waters of BiU Williams Fork, inhabiting the tops of the cotton-wood 

 trees. Wlien attracted to them by their notes, they could only be seen after 

 a very carefid search. Ho obtained no knowledge as to their mode of nest- 

 ing, and no information, so far as we are aware, has been obtained in regard 

 to their eggs. It may, however, be safely conjectured that they are white, 

 and hardly distinguishable from those of the minimus. Dr. Coues found 

 them common near Fort Whipple, Arizona. 



Mr. liidgw^ay met with this bird in especial abundance among the canons 

 of West Humboldt ^lountains in September. H<* found it also in all suit- 

 able places westward to the very base of the Sierra Xevada ^lountains. It 

 was met with principally in the thick bnishwood bordering the streams, in 

 ever-restless companies, continually twittering as they flew from busli to 

 bush, in single rows. Mr. Kidgway^ describes these birds as remarkably 

 active in their movements. If unmolested, they were exceedingly unsus- 

 picious and familiar. During November he found them inhabiting the 

 cedars, always associating in scattered flocks. 



Genus AUK1PARX7S, Baird. 



Auriparus, Baird, Rev. Am. Birds, 1864, 85. (Tyi>e, ^Eijithaliis JUiviccps^ SuSD.) 



Gen. Char. Form sylvicoline. Bill conical, nearly straight, and very acute ; the com- 

 missure very slightly and gently curved. Nostrils concealed by decumbent bristles. 

 Wings long, little rounded; the first quill half the second; third, fourth, and fifth quills 

 neaily equal, and longest Tail slightly graduated. Lateral toes equal, the anterior united 

 at the extreme base. Hind toe small, about equal to the lateral. Tarsus but little longer 

 than the middle toe. 



This genus is closely allied to Paroidcs of Europe, as shown in Birds of 

 North America (p. 399), though sufficiently difterent. It is much more syl- 

 vicoline in appearance tlian the other American Faridce. 



