WREN-TIT 105 
pressed against the support by the action of strong muscles. In the case of the Nut- 
hatches, the tail does not assist in the acts of climbing. 
The family consists of the following genera: 
1, Chamza GaMBEL. One species. 
2, Parus Linnzvus. Eleven species. 
3, Psaltriparus BoNaparTE. Three species. 
4, Auriparus Barrp. One species. 
5, Sitta Linnzus. Four species. 
WERENT. 
Chameza fasciata GAMB. 
Als*HE Wren-Tit, or GROUND-TIT, is one of the most characteristic birds of California, 
ae combining traits of the Wrens, as well as the Titmice. ‘‘The Wren-Tit,” says 
Dr. Elliott Coues, “is one of the several interesting discoveries made in California by 
Dr. William Gambel, of Philadelphia, whose life left an example of how much can be 
accomplished in a brief space of time by the wise use of natural gifts. He at first 
called it a Parus, but, soon perceiving its strongly distinétive characters, conferred upon 
it the appropriate title of Chamza, in allusion to its terrestrial habits. According to 
his accounts, which remain the most accurate and pertinent of those which have thus 
far reached me, I gather that its habits are quite Wren-like; that it inhabits shrubby 
and weedy places, is restless and active, expert in eluding observation, and clamorous 
in resenting intrusion of its haunts, with harsh scolding notes; that it shares, further- 
more, the very Wren-like way of holding the tail erect at times, and nervously twitching 
it. He observed its manners of searching for inseét food by scrambling sideways about 
the weeds and bushes; and speaks of other notes it possesses, more musical than its 
usual scolding cries—a succession of slow monotonous, whistling notes, prolonged with’ 
a trill.” 
Dr. Cooper says that the bird is common everywhere west of the Sierra Nevada, 
on dry plains, covered with chaparral and other shrubby undergrowth. A nest. which 
he discovered at San Diego during the last week of April, 1862, was placed in a shrub 
about three feet from the ground, and was composed of straws and twigs mixed with 
feathers, firmly interwoven, lined with grass and hair; the cavity was a little less than 
two inches wide, and about as deep. The eggs were 0.70X0.52 inch in size, and of a 
pale greenish-blue color. 
The true Wren-Tit is confined to the coast region of California, while the paler 
variety, the PaLtw Wren-Tir (C. fasciata henshawi RiwGw.), occurs more in the 
interior of that State. 
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