CLASS II. AVES: ORDER 2. PASSERES. 



141 



Dr. Brewer breeding in Maine; and P. rufuscus, fonr and half inches long, body and sides chest- 

 nut color, beneath ashy-white, found in Oregon and California. 



The following American species are arranged by Cassin under the genus Lojihophanes, de- 

 signed to include those which are characterized by a crest : the Peto or Tufted Titmouse of 

 Nuttall, P. bicolor — called Crested Titmouse by De Kay and Audubon — six and a half inches 

 long; dark bluish-ash above, and soiled-white beneath. According to Nuttall it has a great vari- 

 ety of note, among which pcto, pcto^ lieto ; kai-tec-did, did, dit, did, and xvliip-tom-kelly , are occa- 

 sionally heard. This author, as well as Mr. Gosse, expresses surprise that the name of Whvp-tom- 

 kelly should have been given to the red-eyed vireo, as it seems to him impossible that such sounds 

 could, by the liveliest invention, be made out of its song. This species is spoken of by De Kay as 

 occurring throughout the northern regions of Europe and America. It is, however, distinct from 

 the common Crested Titmouse, P. cristatus, which we have described. 



The Black-crested Chickadee, P . atricristatus, is six inches long; above cinereous; beneath 

 ashy-white ; flanks reddish-brown ; inhabits Texas and Mexico. 



The Plain-crested Chickadee, P. inornatus, is five and a half inches long; cinereous above, 

 inclined to olive; below ashy-white; found in California. 



The Texan Chickadee, P. annexus, is five inches long; cinereous above, tinged with olive; 

 below ashy-white ; found in Texas. 



By the same author the following are arranged under the gemis Psaltria : Townsend's Chick- 

 adee, P. minimus, four inches long; found in Oregon and California; and the Black-eared 

 Chickadee, P. melanotis, four inches long; found in Texas and Mexico. 



THE EUROPEAN ROBIN REDBREAST. 



ERYTHACIN^ OR ROBINS. 



This name includes several genera and many species, distributed over the eastern hemisphere. 

 They feed principally upon insects and worms, and to some extent on fruits. 



Genus ERYTHACUS : Erythacus.- — This includes the Robin, E. ruhecnla, so familiarly known 

 in England, and so often alluded to in English literature. It passes there under the various names 

 oi Robin Redbreast, Robin Redstart, Robinet, and Ruddock ; in France it is called Rouge Gorge, 

 Marie-Godrie, and Maroyette. It is a constant resident throughout the temperate parts of Eu- 

 rope ; is five and a half inches long; above olive-brown; upper part of the breast reddish-orange ; 

 lower part of the breast and belly white. It is little more than half the size of the migratory 

 thrush, which we call Robin, and sometimes Robin Redbreast. The song of the European robin is 

 sweet and plaintive; it rises early and goes to bed late; breeds early in spring; makes its nest 

 of moss, leaves, and grass, lined with hair and feathers; lays five to seven yellowish-brown eggs; 

 and loves to dwell and nestle near to man — in the hedges around the house, and the trees of the 

 garden. It is easily tamed, and its air of sprightliness and confidence renders it a great favorite. 



