92 Noirni AMKincAN birds. 



Habits. Tlie (imy Titmouse belongs «!sseiitiiilly to the Pacific coast, 

 coming eastward only as i'ar as the banks of the Ivio Grande in Texas. It 

 was first discovered and described by ])r. Ganil)el, in his Ijirds of California. 

 It has since been met with not only throughout California, but also lu all 

 the southern portions of the Jiocky ^lountains, in New Mexico, and from 

 Mimbres to the Kio Grande. 



Dr. Woodhouse met with this s])ecies in the San Francisco Mountains, 

 near the Little Colorado Itiver, Xew ^Mexico. He found it very abundant, 

 feeding among the tall ])ines in company with the Sltta ijygmwa, S. acnlmta, 

 and Paru.H montnnm. 



Dr. Gambel firet noticed this species near ^Monterey on the 20th of No- 

 vember. It was flitting actively about among the evergreen oaks of that 

 vicinity in comi)any with large flocks of several kindred species. They 

 were all in restless activity, searching every branch for insects. As well 

 as he could distinguish its notes among those of the busy throng in the 

 midst of which he observed it, they a]tpeared to resemble very closely those 

 of the common P. nfrimpiNitn. Upon his following it up, it would iitfer a 

 loud scolding outcry, erect its higli and ])ointed crest, and appear as angry 

 as possilile at the intrusion. He found it very connnon, frecjuentiug tall 

 bushes in small flocks, searching branches of low trees, uttering weak and 

 slender cries, resembling the syllables tsee thlji-ddij. 



Dr. Heernuuni found it one of the most common of the birds of California, 

 where it is resident throughout the year. He descril)es their notes as 

 posse.ssing an almost endless viiriety, so much so that he was repeatedly 

 prompted to follow it as a new sjK'cies. He met with a nest of this bird in 

 a deserted woodpecker's hole, whicli contained young. 



Dr. Cooper has met with this species in February near San Diego, but 

 not on the Colorado. Tliey seem to iirefer the evergreen-oak groves toward 

 the middle of the State, but are not fouiul in the higher Sierra Nevada. 

 They are residents throughout the year in the evergi' n oaks near San 

 Francisco. He adds that they are seen in smidl ])artns, scattered about 

 the trees, and calling to each other with a variety of sweet and loud notes, 

 some of which are said to eijual those of our best singers. It also has 

 certain powers of imitation like the Eastern crested species and the same 

 cry of ptto-peto. 



It feeds on acorns as well as insects, and often goes to the ground in search 

 of them. It cracks the acorns with its bill, and hammers at bark and de- 

 cayed wood witii the industry of ;i woodi)ecker. 



^fr. Kidgway met with this .species among the ])ini's of the eastern sh)pe 

 of the Sierra Nevada, but nowhere in abundance. Among the cedars it was 

 almost the only bird seen. He describes its manneis as greatly resembling 

 those of the other s])ecies. Its notes, though dill'ering from those of the 

 Eastern L. hiw/or, being weaker and less distinct, retain its vehement and 

 characteristic manner of utterance. 



