HABITS OF THE BRIDLED TITMOUSE 119 



inornatus]. Usually semi-gregarious except when breeding. 

 Found in all situations ; but chiefly affects the oak thickets, 

 and the chaparral of open hillsides. Generally distributed 

 through the Territory, and extending southward into Sonora." 

 These items, published in 1866, might easily be expanded into 

 a considerable article ; but there is no real occasion for much 

 further remark. The habitat there indicated, with reference to 

 only one Territory, requires to be enlarged to include New Mexico 

 and Western Texas, as well as the table-lands of Mexico to 

 Oaxaca and Orizaba at least. The species is presented in Dr. 

 Cooper's work, without remark to indicate that it has ever been 

 found in that State (though it probably occurs on the west 

 as well as east side of the great river) ; but I find no record of 

 its presence in Colorado, Utah or Nevada. As to its habits, 

 we may premise that its nidification and oviposition continue 

 unknown ; and that in other respects it agrees so closely with 

 its congeners that shrewd and repeated observation is re- 

 quired to detect any peculiarities. I mentioned above what 

 I considered its leading speciality — gregariousness, not wit- 

 nessed to the same extent in the other species, though all the 

 Titmice are rather sociable birds. Mr. Henshaw has lately con- 

 firmed the statement; speaking ofits habits in the fall, he says: — 

 " Instead of being found in small companies or as stragglers on 

 the skirts of the large flocks of other species, it habitually moves 

 about in flocks, composed often of twenty-five, and even more, 

 of its own sppcies; its exclusiveness in this particular being 

 quite noticeable, though once or twice I have seen a few on 

 intimate terms of companionship with the other Chickadees." 

 The same excellent observer refers to what I consider another 

 trait of this species in comparison with its relatives of the same 

 genus : it does not so frequently, nor indeed habitually, descend 

 to the ground iu search of insects, acorns and other seeds. 

 Corresponding with its smaller size and more delicate organiz- 

 ation, its -voice is not so strong; the notes, though vehement 

 and unmistakably "parine", being weaker and of less volume. 



Genus PARUS Linnaeus 



Chars. — Head not crested. Wings and tail rounded, of ap- 

 proximately equal lengths, and about as long as the body. 

 Bill typically parine (see foregoing characters). No bright 

 colors (in the American species — the expression not applicable 

 to the genus at large); throat usually with a black patch. 



