20 Merrill, Birds of Fort Sherman, Idaho. \^t^ 



suitable localities at all seasons. A series of skins sent to Mr. Brewster 

 were pronounced by him to be "ultra typical," being darker than birds 

 from the Pacific coast. 



Cistothorus palustris paludicola. — Rare in autumn, among long grass 

 and swamp willows in the marsh. None appear to breed at this end of 

 the lake. 



Certhia familiaris montana. — Abundant during winter. This is the 

 orAy part of the Rocky Mountain region where I have found this species 

 to be other than uncommon. During the month of April they gradually 

 disappear, and only one was seen near the fort during the breeding 

 season. It was not observed on Mica Peak, though it might easily have 

 escaped notice ; nor were any seen until about the middle of September, 

 when they again appeared in company with Kinglets and Chickadees. 

 While watching a Creeper one day at a distance of a few feet it suddenly 

 flew and alighted on my leg for a second or two. 



Sitta carolinensis aculeata. — ■ The least common of the three species of 

 Nuthatch, and usually associating with the Pygmy, but is hy no means 

 raye. Breeds rather sparingly about lake level and in the hills. 



Sitta canadensis. — A common winter resident, breeding less plentifully 

 near the fort and among the surrounding hills. Local specimens have 

 imusually long bills. 



Sitta pygmsea. — Probably the most abundant resident bird at Fort 

 Sherman, in winter gathering in flocks with the other Nuthatches, Tit- 

 mice, and Kinglets. Each year one or more pairs placed their nests 

 within the weatherboarding of some of the buildings within the fort, 

 entering through knotholes in the boarding. White-bellied Swallows, 

 Wrens, and Western Bluebirds also did the same. 



* Parus atricapillus. — A common resident. Its favorite breeding 

 locality is among the swamp willows on the marsh, where a number of 

 pairs gather each year, nesting in dead willow branches, sometimes scarcely 

 three inches in diameter, and but little above the surface of the water. 



In regard to the identification of this species Mr. Brewster writes me as 

 follows : 



" After carefully examining your series of Black-capped Titmice from 

 Fort Sherman and comparing them with all the material contained in the 

 National Museum, as well as in my own collection, I have come to the 

 conclusion that they must be referred — at least provisionally — to Parus 

 atricapillus. They are of practicallj' the same size and proportion as our 

 eastern bird, save in respect to the bill, which usually — but by no means 

 invariably — -is shorter and more conical in shape. In coloring, also, they 

 resemble true atricapillus very closely, but as a rule they have less white 

 on the wings and tail, more brownish on the sides, and deeper, clearer 

 black on the crown and throat. These differences, however, are compara- 

 tively slight and inconstant, and do not seem to me to entitle the bird to 

 separation under a distinctive name. It is awkward, of course, to cite it 

 as atricapillus, but I see no alternative. One thing is certain, namely. 



