DESCRIPTION OF LONG-TAILED CHICKADEE 121 



strpngly edged, especially on the secondaries and lateral tail-feathers, with 

 hoary-white, which usually passes entirely around the ends of these feathers. 

 Sides of the head and neck snowy-white. Cap pure black and very extensive, 

 reaching to between the shoulders. Black of throat extending to the breast. 

 Bill and feet plumbeous-black. Larger than P. atricapillus, the tail decid- 

 edly longer ; average general dimensions about those of the maximum of 

 P. ab-ioapiUiis, and minimum length of tail about the same as the maximum 

 of that of P. atricapillus. Length averaging at least 5i ; extent, 8| or more : 

 wing, 2f-2f ; tail, 2-3. 



Young : Similar to the adult, but with the usual indications of immaturity 

 in a more.sordid coloration, less extent and intensity of the black cap, &c. 



The Colorado region does not, it seems, furnish us with typical atrica- 

 piUus, still less with any smaller, darker-colored and shorter- tailed form to 

 correspond with the P. carolinensis of similar latitudes on the Atlantic side. 

 In this region, the Part are mainly confined to the upper and to mountain- 

 ous portions ; and, P. montanus aside, all the specimens I have seen are derived 

 from the prolongation southward along the mountains of the true septentrio- 

 nalis form. The above description is taken from New Mexican, Coloradan 

 and Utah specimens, which are among the largest, hoariest and longest- 

 tailed I have seen quite equal in these respects to the series I procured on 

 the Upper Missouri in the winter of 1872-3. 



NOTHING in iny own experience with this bird, or in the- 

 recorded observations of other naturalists, indicates any 

 real differences between its habits and those of its several allies. 

 While at Fort Randall, Dakota, where it is resident and 

 abundant, I thought I perceived a peculiarity in the intona- 

 tion of the , two-syllabled note which is uttered at the ap- 

 proach of the breeding season; but as I only compared the 

 sound with my recollections, the impression received may have 

 had little real foundation. I never saw the bird in Arizona,, 

 and do not think it has been found in this Territory ; but it 

 occurs in the mountains of New Mexico at corresponding lati- 

 tudes, and thence northward into the British Possessions. 



I shall not here enter into any general account of the habits 

 of the Chickadees ; 1 have already outlined the family traits, 

 and almost every one who is interested in birds is capable of 

 filling in the details from* his own experience. But I will repro- 

 duce a pleasant passage from Dr. Brewer's pen, to illustrate 

 how far the stout-heartedness of these small creatures may be 

 pushed under the. stimulus of maternal love. I only know of 

 a parallel case in the instance of the Crossbill, as told by the 

 same author : 



" Their courage and devotion to their young is a remarkable 

 trait with the whole race, and with none more than with the 

 present species. On one occasion a Black-Cap was seen to fly 



