488 List of the Birds of the Willamette Valley, Oregon. (July, 
holes which they excavate in rotten wood, often in stumps not 
more than two feet from the ground ; nest of hair and wool ; eggs 
five, pure white, thickly speckled with light-brown, chiefly toward 
the large end. Its note is a loud, clear “ chick a dee-dee-dee,” given 
in a monotone. 
9. Parus rufescens Towns. (chestnut-backed titmouse).—Less 
abundant than the last, which they closely resemble in habits. A 
nest that I found in the top of a willow “stub” (not excavated) 
contained four pure white eggs, somewhat larger than the pre- 
ceding species, dotted sparingly with large patches of fawn-drab. 
The nest was lined with fur of a squirrel. Their note is a faint 
“ ke-dee-dee-dee,” the last syllable uttered a “fifth ” higher. 
10. Psaltriparus minimus Towns. (least titmouse).—Plentiful 
during the winter months among the evergreens, always in small 
flocks. Many remain all summer to breed, but they are more 
retired and less conspicuous. I took a nest of this species in 
‘June, 1874; it was pensile, built of moss (Hypnum and Tillandsia), 
with the entrance (a small round hole) on one side, passing up 
and over into the inside; it was lined with feathers and hair, and 
contained four pure white eggs. Their call note is a subdued 
“zip,” "gip, varied to “ sip-hitty.” 
11. Sitta aculeata Cass.(Western nuthatch).—Quite common dur- 
ing the summer and not rare during the winter. They breed in 
various places, the greatest desire being concealment. A pair had 
a nest in the college building at Forest Grove and raised seven 
young; the entrance was a knot-hole in the siding, and it was 
placed between the ceiling of the lower room and the floor above 
and was not accessible. Another was built for several years in 
the double roof of an ice-house upon the sawdust. I took out 
a set of nine eggs in 1877, white, specked with light brown of the 
same shade and pattern as Parus occidentalis, differing only in 
larger size. Their only note is a coarse harsh “ swank,” uttered 
at intervals that make one expect to see a larger bird. 
12. Sitta canadensis Linn. (red-bellied nuthatch).—Associated 
with the preceding, which it much resembles in habits. Its call, 
“ beek,” is in a higher key and not so coarse. The nest and eggs 
I have not seen. 
13. Lhryothurus spilurus Vig. (Western mocking wren).—This 
bird is quite common in the swampy parts of the valley, and 
breeds, though I never saw its nest or eggs. 
