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Distribution. Northern North America. In Canada, across the Dominion, in the 
heavy northern spruce forest, except the west coast region. 
SUBSPECIES. The subspecies recognized in the Check-list for all of western Canada 
is the Hudsonian Chickadee Penthestes hudsonicus hudsonicus. 
The Brown-headed Chickadee is so similar in habits to the Black- 
capped that further description would be little more than repetition. 
741. Chestnut-backed Chickadee. Penthestes rufescens. L, 4-75. Plate LXXIX 
A. A Chickadee with dark brown crown and throat, and bright white cheeks. Back and 
flanks coloured with strong reddish chestnut. Below white. 
Distinctions. Our only Chickadee with back and flanks strongly reddish. 
Field Marks. A Chickadee with strong red flanks and back. Face mark a compar- 
atively narrow but contrastive white stripe extending well over shoulders. 
Nesting. In holes in stubs, lined with rabbit fur, feathers, and other soft material. 
Distribution. Pacific Coast region of North America. In Canada, British Columbia, 
mostly west of the Coast range but locally in the interior southern sections. 
SUBSPECIES. The form referred to Canada is the type race Penthestes rufescens 
rufescens. 
A bird characteristic of the heavily wooded west coast. There, in 
the upper branches of the giant firs, the birds may be seen flitting about in 
true Chickadee fashion, but often so high that it is difficult to separate 
them from Kinglets. When they come closer their ruddy coloration is quite 
evident. They have the confiding ways and gentle inquisitiveness of the 
Black-capped Chickadee and are much like them in habit and action. 
743. Bush Tit. Psaltriparus minimus. L, 4. Like a very small Kinglet in 
size and perhaps the most inconspicuously coloured bird that we have. Dark brownish 
grey on back changing to warm sepia brown on crown; below, white, tinged with brownish 
on flanks. No definite markings anywhere. 
Distinctions. With small size likely to be mistaken only for a female Ruby-crowned 
Kinglet, but without any trace of green, suggestion of wing-bar, or light eye circle. Tail 
distinctly long and bill very short and stubby. 
Field Marks. Probably in life the Bush Tit looks like a diminutive Kinglet with a 
long tail, greyish instead of greenish, and without wing-bars, light eye circle, or eyebrow 
stripe. 
Nesting. A beautifully woven pouch with entrance hole in the side, suspended from 
a branch. 
Distribution. Pacific coast of North America. In Canada, known only by a few 
specimens near the coast in the vicinity of the mouth of Fraser river and extreme south- 
western corner of the mainland. 
FAMILY — SYLVTIDAE. OLD-WORLD WARBLERS, KINGLETS, AND 
GNATCATCHERS 
An Old World family represented in America by only a few species. 
Of these, the Old World Warblers, not to be confused with our Wood 
Warblers, do not occur in Canada; the Kinglets are represented by two 
species. 
Subfamily — Regulinae. Kinglets 
General Description. The Kinglets are, next in size to the rare Bush Tit and the Hum- 
mingbirds. the smallest of Canadian birds. They are wren-like in their short, round bodies, 
but more like Chickadees in their habits and actions. Their colours are dull olive-green, 
lighter below, and they have smallj brilliantly coloured crown-spots of red, orange, or yellow. 
The bill is small and straight, similar to but not as stout as that of the Chickadee (Figure 
68, compare with 67, page 34). 
Distinctions. The Kinglets might be mistaken for some of the dull, evenly coloured 
Warblers, but as all plumages except the female and juvenile Ruby-crowned have brilliant 
crown patches, this will usually prevent confusion, and size should do so in any event. 
