84 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



Chamsea fasciata, Gamd. 



OBOUND-TIT; WBEN-TIT. 



Pariis fasciatui, fiAMnia, Pr. A. N. So. Aug. 1843. 2(55 (California). Chaviaia fasciata, 



Gambkl, I'r. A. N. Sc 111, 1847, 1.54. — Ib. J. A V. Sc. 2d suiie.s, I, 1847, 34, pi. viii, 



fig. 3. — Cahanis, Wifgiuiuiir.s Aivhiv, 1848, I, lOx. — Cassin, Illust. 1, 1853, 39, 



1>1. vii. — Haikd, Birds N. Am. ISrS, 370. — lu. Review, 7(5. — (.''iopeu, Birds Cal. I, 

 39. 



Sp. Ciiah. Wings scarcely two tlilrd.i the Icnprtli of the ; both very imieh j^i'adu- 

 afed. Uii))L'r and out<3r [lart.s generally (iiieiiKling the whole tail) olivaeeouw-hrown, 

 tinged with gray on the head ; bcneatii pale brownish-cinnamon, with obsolete sitreaka 

 of dusky on the throat and breast, Sid(,'s iind under tail-coverts tinged with olive-ltrown. 

 Loi'es and a spot above tiio eye obscui'ely whitish. Tail-feathers with obsolete transverse 

 bars. Total length, G.20; wing, 2.30; tiiil, 3.50, graduation, 1.20; e.xpo.sed portion of 

 first primary, .85, of second, 1.30, of longest, si.xtii (measured from exposed base of first 

 primary), 1.80; length of bill from forehead, .52, from nostril, .30; along gape, .GO; 

 tarsus, l.Oo ; middle too and claw, .78 ; claw alone, .23 ; hind toe and claw, .55 ; claw 

 alone, .30. Eggs liglit blue, unspotted ; nest on low bushes. 



Hab. Coast region of Calitbrnia. 



Habits. This very interesting .species, wliich seems to combine within 

 itself the principal characteristics of the Wren and the Titmouse, was first 

 described by the late Dr. Ganibel of Tliiladelpliia. So far as is now known, 

 it is confined to the coast country of California, from Fort Tejon to the shore 

 and from San Diego to the Sacramento. Dr. Gambel's attention was first 

 directed to it by the continued sound of a loud, crepitant, grating scold which 

 he was constantly hearing in fields of dead mustard-stalks and other similar 

 places. He at last discovered it to be this species, which from its peculiar 

 habits he called a Wren-tit. It kept close to the ground, was difficult to be 

 seen, and eluded jjursuit by diving into the thickest bunches of weeds, utter- 

 ing, when approached, its peculiar grating ,»ren-like notes. Wlien quietly 

 watched it could be seen to search for insects, climbing twigs and dry stalks 

 sideways, jerking its long tail, or holding it erect in the manner of a wren, 

 wliich, in this po.sition, it very much resembles. He describes it as at times 

 uttering a slow, monotonous singing note like ii chick-a-dee, represented by 

 2}ce-pee-pec-peep. At other times its song is a varied succession of whistling. 

 In spring it was heard, in pairs, calling and answering, in a less solemn 

 strain, and in a manner not unlike a sparrow, with a brief pU-pit-pU, ending 

 with a prolonged trill. If disturbed, they at once resumed their usual scold- 

 ing cries. 



Mr. Bell fouml this species chieHy frequenting damp places, and speaks 

 of it as of pert habit, and not easily frightened. Its white iris, when ob- 

 served in its native retreats, makes it easily recognized. This feature is as 

 conspicuous in this bird as it is in the White-eyed Vireo. Its skhi is re- 

 markably strong, the muscles of tlie thiglis powerful and well developed, 

 and its whole muscular system exhibits an unusual strength and firmness. 



