72 EXPLORATIONS AND SURVEYS WEST OF JOOTH MERIDIAN. 



SAXICOLID^ (the Saxicolas). 



6. Sialia arctica, Swains. Arctic Bluebird. 



Found common and breeding everywhere in this region from 7,000 

 feet upward. Nests frequently in a deserted woodpecker's hole, or as 

 often in the natural cavity of some decayed stub. Two broods are 

 reared during the season. 



SYLVIID^E (the Sylvias). 

 7. Regulus calendula (L.) 



Very common in the heavy pine-forests at an elevation of 10,000 feet. 

 Its song, for so diminutive a bird, is remarkably loud and clear, and no 

 less wonderful for its sweetness and modulation. June 11, while col- 

 lecting on a mountain near the Rio Grande, 1 discovered a nearly 

 finished nest, built on a low branch of a pine, which 1 have little doubt 

 belonged to this bird. The male was singing directly overhead, but 

 although I watched for some time in hopes of being able to see the 

 female in the act of building,! was disappointed. The nest was a some- 

 what bulky structure, very large for the size of the bird, externally 

 composed of strips of bark, and lined thickly with feathers of the 

 Grouse (Canace obscura). 



(the Titmice). 



8. Parus atricapillus (L.), var. septentrionalis, Harris. Long- tailed 

 Chickadee. 



By no means as common here as the following species. Found indif- 

 ferently in the heavy pine-woods and among the cottonwoods of the 

 streams. Gould detect no differences in habits and notes from the east- 

 ern Chickadee (atricapillus), from which it chiefly differs in its longer 

 tail and lighter colors. 



9. Parus montanus, Gambel. Mountain-Chickadee. 



Abundant. At this, the breeding-season, a rather exclusive inhabi- 

 tant of the pine- woods. Like the preceding, a very active and persistent 

 insect-hunter, exploring every crack and crevice beneath the rough bark 

 for the hidden larvae, which are instantly dragged forth, and, after being 

 vigorously hammered on some horizontal limb and reduced to a shape- 

 less mass, eagerly swallowed. 



