TITMICE 
313 
739. Siberian Chickadee, alaska chickadee, la mesange de sib^rie. Pen- 
thestes cinctus. L, 5 ■ 50. A rather large chickadee, like the Brown-headed, but distinctly 
different in colour; a greyer brown and the cheeks clear and sharply white, almost meeting 
across the back of the neck. 
Distinctions and Field Marks. As above. 
Distribution. Eastern Siberia and Alaska. In Canada, only recorded from near the 
Arctic coast on Anderson River and the mouth of the Mackenzie. 
SUBSPECIES. The Alaska Chickadee (la Mesange de 1’ Alaska) Penthestes cinctus 
Alascensis is the only American form. 
This species is to be expected only in the high western sub-arctics and 
is not likely to be observed elsewhere, 
740. Brown-headed Chickadee, la mesange a t£te brdne. Penthestes hudsoni- 
cus. L, 5-12. Similar to the Black-capped Chickadee, but duller and darker in general 
tone; cap greyish brown of nearly the same colour as the back; throat patch present 
but veiled; flanks rufous tinted. 
Distinctions. The brownish cap and back and general duller and less contrasted 
coloration. 
Field Marks. A very dark chickadee with coloration diffused and pattern lacking 
distinctness. Its characteristic “Chick-a-da” note is hoarse, but otherwise similar to that 
of the common chickadee. 
Nesting. In holes in trees and stubs in nest of moss and felted fur. 
Distribution. Northern North America. In Canada, across the Dominion, in the 
heavy northern spruce forest, except the west coast region. 
SUBSPECIES. Three subspecies of Brown-headed Chickadee are generally recog- 
nized. The Hudsonian Chickadee (la Mesange hudsonienne) Penthestes hudsonicus 
hudsonicus, the northern evergreen forests from Ontario to northern Alaska. The Acadian 
Chickadee (la Mesange d’Acadie) Penthestes hudsonicus littoralis, Quebec and the Maritime 
Provinces; the Columbian Chickadee (la M&ange de Colombie) Penthestes hudsonicus 
columbianus , southern Alaska, British Columbia, and Alberta. The distinctions between 
these races are slight and the limits of these ranges have not been well worked out. 
The Brown-headed Chickadee is so similar in habits to the Black- 
capped that description would be little more than repetition. 
741. Chestnut-backed Chickadee, la mesange a dos marron. Penthestes 
rujescens. L, 4-75. Plate LI B. 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 northern type race Penthestes 
rufescem 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. 
