350 LAND BIRDS 



confirmed in this case by the fact that, although I was 

 within twelve feet of the nest whenever either bird 

 entered it during that first day, not once was any food 

 visible in the beak of either. After the fourth day 

 the worms and insects carried were frequently projecting 

 on each side of the small beak, but up to that time there 

 had been none seen, though a careful watch was kept 

 with both opera glasses and naked eyes. On the six- 

 teenth day one of the young appeared in the doorway, 

 but dodged back when I advanced a cautious hand. He 

 was very like the adults, but somewhat browner on his 

 head, and the under parts were clouded with light and 

 dark gray. The crest was developing finely, and gave 

 him a pompous look in funny contrast to his timid man- 

 ner, as he raised it in surprise just before leaving the 

 doorway. As my hand approached, the crest flattened 

 and the little fellow seemed to crouch and slide down 

 backward into the darkness. 



738. MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE. — Penthedes gambeli. 

 Family : The Nuthatches and Tits. 



Length: 5.00-5.75. 



Adults: Throat and top of head black ; -white line over eye, black line 

 through eye ; sides of head white ; upper parts gray ; under parts 

 grayish white, becoming dark gray on sides, washed with rusty. 



Geographical Distribution, : Western United States in Boreal and Tran- 

 sition zones from the Rockies to the Pacific coast, and from British 

 Columbia to Lower California. 



California Breeding Range: In Transition zone along the whole length 

 of the Sierra Nevada. 



Breeding Season : June. 



