564 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology. 



The one adult female is distinctly darker than any specimens from 

 Maine and New Brunswick which I have examined. Without a 

 large series, it would be difficult to determine whether or not this 

 tendency is worthy of subspecific distinction. 



The Newfoundland Oven-bird and Winter Wren are the only in- 

 habitants of the dense and soaking undergrowths which choke most 

 Newfoundland valleys. The sharp crescendo of the first and the 

 bubbling warble of the second ring out in pleasing contrast. These 

 notes were heard on many occasions, but the songsters seldom came 

 into view. 



53. SiTTA CANADENSIS Linne. 



Red-breasted Nuthatch. 



One adult female from the Lewis Hills, August 17th. No others 

 were seen or heard. 



54. Penthestes atricapillus atricapillus (Linne). 

 Black-capped Chickadee. 



Eleven adults of both sexes, and three young birds, Nicholsville, 

 Port au Port, Lewis Hills, and Spruce Brook, July 6th to September 

 18th. 



The adults in this series vary considerably among themselves, but 

 they average browner, less gray above, than mainland birds. The 

 buff of the sides is conspicuously richer. In size they are nearly 

 identical with mainland specimens. We would expect in a region 

 fostering specialization, such as Newfoundland, that the Black-capped 

 Chickadee would be represented by a geographical race, but I have 

 been unable to find one distinguishing character to separate the New- 

 foundland bird. 



Little families of Black-capped Chickadees were met with on many 

 of my tramps through the more open woods. The younger birds of 

 the family would be just as excited as their parents at my " squeaking." 

 These family groups became more disintegrated during the latter part 

 of August. At least at that time, I searched in vain for fully adult 

 birds in such groups. 



