WITH BROWN PREDOMINATING 301 



species, like the other Bush-tits found in California, are 

 of untold benefit in destroying eggs, .grubs, and adult 

 insects injurious to the trees, especially black scales and 

 caterpillars. 



741. CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE. — Penlhestes 

 rufescens. 



Family : The Nuthatches and Tits. 



Length: 4.50-5.00. 



Adults : Throat blackish brown ; crown and nape clear brown ; sides of 



head white ; line oyer eye black ; back reddish brown ; under parts 



white ; sides chestnut. 

 Young : Crown, nape, and throat dark brown ; back olive-brown. 

 Geographical Distribution : Alaska to California ( Mt. Shasta). 

 California Breeding Range : Northern humid coast belt in Del Norte, 



Humboldt, and Mendocino counties. 

 Breeding Season : April. 

 Nest: 12 to 40 feet from ground, in dead trees, either in natural cavities 



or old woodpeckers' holes ; materials cattle hair, fur, wool, feathers, or 



moss. 

 Eggs : 5 to 7 ; white, sometimes finely speckled with rusty brown. Size 



0.64 X 0.47. 



In the northern humid coast belt along the most 

 northern edge of California the Chestnut-backed Chicka- 

 dee is a common resident. He keeps to the more open 

 woods along the roadways, and is even more fearless 

 than the common chickadee of the Eastern States. 

 Hanging head downward over a slender twig, searching 

 for bugs under the young leaves, swinging in happy- 

 go-lucky fashion from the tip of a branch, scampering in 

 flocks through the tall trees, he is a most fascinating 



