The Bird Book / Illustrating in natural colors more than seven hundred North American birds; also several hundred photographs of their nests and eggs.

719. Bewick's Wren. Thryomanes bewicki bewicki.

Range.--South Atlantic and Gulf States, and the Mississippi Valley north to Minnesota and locally to the Middle States in the east.

This species is not common on the Atlantic coast but in the interior it is the most abundant of the Wrens, nesting in holes in trees, stumps, fences, bird boxes, tin cans, etc., filling the cavities with grass and rootlets. Their eggs are laid in the latter part of April or May; they are white, specked and usually wreathed about the large end with reddish brown and purplish. Size .65 × .50.

719a. Vigors's Wren. Thryomanes bewicki spilurus.

Range.--Pacific coast of California.

This similar bird to the last has the same general habits and the eggs are not in any way different from those of Bewick's Wren.

719b. Baird's Wren. Thryomanes bewicki bairdi.

Range.--Southwestern United States, from western Texas to eastern California and north to Colorado and Nevada.

Like the two preceding Wrens, this one nests in natural or artificial cavities, and the four to seven eggs that they lay are precisely alike, in every respect, to those of the others.

719c. Texas Wren. Thryomanes bewicki cryptus.

Range.--Texas, north in summer to western Kansas.

A very abundant bird in Texas. Nesting habits not unusual nor eggs distinctive.

719d. San Diego Wren. Thryomanes bewicki charienturus.

Range.--Coast of southern California.

719e. Seattle Wren. Thryomanes bewicki calophonus.

Range.--Pacific coast from Oregon to British Columbia.

These last two sub-species have recently been separated from Vigors's Wren, but their habits and eggs remain the same as those of that variety.

719.1. San Clemente Wren. Thryomanes leucophrys.

Range.--San Clemente Island, California.

This species is similar to Vigors's Wren but is grayer and paler above. It is not peculiar in its nesting habits and the eggs are like those of bewicki.

720. Guadalupe Wren. Thryomanes brevicauda.

Range.--Guadalupe Island.

A very similar species to the Vigors's Wren; nesting habits and the eggs are not apt to differ in any respect.

721. House Wren. Troglodytes aëdon.

Range.--North America east of the Mississippi, breeding from the Gulf north to Manitoba and Ontario; winters in the southern half of the United States.

This familiar and noisy little Wren is the most abundant and widely distributed of the Wrens; they are met with on the edges of woods, swamps, fields, pastures, orchards and very frequently build about houses, in bird houses or any nook that may suit them; they fill the cavity of the place they may select with twigs, grass, feathers, plant down, etc., and lay from five to nine eggs in a set and frequently three sets a year. The eggs are pinkish white, very profusely and minutely dotted with pale reddish brown so as to make the egg appear to be a nearly uniform salmon color and with a wreath of darker spots about the large end. Size .65 × .52. Data.--Gretna, N. Y., May 29, 1896. Nest three feet from the ground in cavity of an apple tree; made of twigs and grass, and lined with hair and feathers.

721a. Western House Wren. Troglodytes aëdon parkmani.

Range.--United States, from the Mississippi Valley to eastern California.

This variety is grayer above and below than the eastern form, but its habits and eggs do not differ in any respect.

722. Winter Wren. Nannus hiemalis hiemalis.

Range.--Eastern North America, breeding from northern United States northward, and south in the Alleghanies to North Carolina; winters in the United States.

These are the smallest of the Wrens, being but four inches in length; they have a very short tail which, like those of the others, is carried erect over the back during excitement or anger. They are very sly birds and creep about through stone walls and under brush like so many mice; they have a sweet song but not as loud as that of the House Wren. Their nests are placed in crevices of stumps, walls, old buildings or in brush heaps, being made of twigs and leaves, lined with feathers. Their eggs, which are laid during May or June, are pure white, finely and sparingly dotted with reddish brown; size .60 × .48.

722a. Western Winter Wren. Nannus hiemalis pacificus.

Range.--Western North America from the Rockies to the coast, north to Alaska.

This species is much browner both above and below and is more heavily barred than the last; its habits and eggs are like those of hiemalis.

722b. Kadiak Winter Wren. Nannushiemalis helleri.

Range.--Kadiak Island, Alaska.

Said to be slightly larger and paler than pacificus.

723. Alaska Wren. Nannus alascensis.

Range.--Aleutian and Pribilof Islands, Alaska.

Larger and paler than the Western Winter Wren. The habits of this species are similar to those of the eastern Winter Wren; they nest between boulders and in crevices of rocks or stumps, making their nests of moss and rootlets, lined with feathers. The eggs are like those of the Winter Wren but slightly larger; size .65 × .51.

723.1. Aleutian Wren. Nannus meliger.

Range.--Western Aleutian Islands to Alaska. Very similar to the above, both in song and general habits. They nest in the crevices of rocks or between boulders, making their nests of rootlets and grass, lining it with hair and feathers. Usually six eggs are laid, white with a few specks of brown (.58 × .46).

724. Short-billed Marsh Wren. Cistothorus stellaris.

Range.--Eastern United States, breeding from the Gulf to Manitoba and Maine.

This species does not appear to be as common anywhere as is the Long-billed variety, whose habits and nests are similar. They nest in or on the borders of marshes, and nests being globular structures of grasses, lined with hair, and with the entrance on the side; they are attached above the ground or water in marsh grass or reeds. Their eggs, which number from six to eight, are pure white; size .64 × .48.

725. Long-billed Marsh Wren. Telmatodytes palustris palustris.

Range.--United States east of the Rockies, breeding from the Gulf north to Manitoba and New England; winters in southern United States.

These birds are very abundant in suitable localities throughout their range, breeding in colonies in large marshes and in smaller numbers in small marshy places. Their nests are similar to those of the last, being globular and attached to cat-tails or reeds; the entrance is a small round hole in the side of the rush-woven structures and the interior is neatly finished with fine grass and hair. They lay from five to eight eggs of a pale chocolate color, dotted and spotted with darker shades of the same; size .64 × .45. Data.--Delray, Mich., May 27, 1900. Six eggs. Nest a ball of woven flags and grasses, lined with cat-tail down, and attached to rushes in salt marsh over two feet of water. Collector, Geo. W. Morse.

725a. Tule Wren. Telmatodytes palustris paludicola.

Range.--Western United States on the Pacific coast; north to British Columbia.

The nesting habits and eggs of these birds are in all respects like those of the last.

725b. Worthington's Marsh Wren. Telmatodytes palustris griseus.

Range.--Coast of South Carolina and Georgia.

The habits and eggs of this paler form are identical with those of palustris.

725c. Western Marsh Wren. Telmatodytes palustris plesius.

Range.--United States west of the Rockies, except the Pacific coast; north to British Columbia. This variety is like the Tule Wren but slightly paler; its nesting habits and eggs are the same.

725.1. Marian's Marsh Wren. Telmatodytes palustris marianæ.

Range.--West coast of Florida.

This species is similar to the Long-billed variety but is darker and more barred above and below. Its nests and eggs will not be found to differ materially from those of the others of this genus.

CREEPERS. Family CERTHIIDÆ

726. Brown Creeper. Certhia familiaris americana.

Range.--Eastern North America, breeding from the northern tier of states northward; winters in the United States.

These peculiar, weak-voiced Creepers are common in northern United States during the winter, when they may be seen slowly toiling up the tree trunks, searching the crannies of the bark for larvae. They make their nests behind loose hanging bark on old tree stubs, usually at low elevations, building them of twigs, bark, moss, etc., held together with cobwebs. The eggs, which are laid in May or June, are pure white, specked and spotted with reddish brown; they average in size .58 × .48. The nests are most often found under the loosened bark on coniferous trees.

[Illustration: ]

726a. Mexican Creeper. Certhia familiaris albescens.

Range.--Western Mexico north to southern Arizona.

The nesting habits of this brighter colored form are the same as those of the others.

726b. Rocky Mountain Creeper. Certhia familiaris montana.

Range.--Rocky Mountains, breeding from New Mexico to Alaska.

The eggs of this grayer variety cannot be distinguished from those of the eastern birds and the nests are in similar situations.

726c. California Creeper. Certhia familiaris occidentalis.

Range.--Pacific coast from southern California north to Alaska.

An abundant species, especially on mountain ranges, breeding behind the bark chiefly on pine trees. The eggs are not different from those of the others.

726d. Sierra Creeper. Certhia familiaris zelotes.

Range.--Sierra Nevada Mountains in California and the Cascade Range in Oregon.

Very similar to the last and with the same habits; eggs indistinguishable.

NUTHATCHES AND TITS. Family SITTIDÆ

727. White-breasted Nuthatch. Sitta carolinensis carolinensis.

Range.--United States east of the Rockies, breeding from the Gulf to southern Canada; resident throughout its range.

These birds are creepers, but unlike the last species, these run about on the trunks, either up or down; their tails are not pointed and stiffened like those of the Brown Creepers, and their plumage is gray and black above with a black crown, and white below. They nest in holes in trees, usually deep in the woods and at any elevation from the ground; they nearly always use deserted Woodpeckers' holes but are said at times to excavate their own, with great labor as their bills are little adapted for that work. They line the cavities with bark strips and hair or feathers, and during April or May, lay from four to nine white eggs, profusely specked with reddish brown and lilac. Size .80 × .60. Data.--Lancaster, Mass., May 16, 1902. Nest in hole in an oak tree, 45 feet above ground; made of fine strips of bark fibre and hair.

727a. Slender-billed Nuthatch. Sitta carolinensis aculeata.

Range.--North America, west of the Rockies and from Mexico to British Columbia.

This species is as abundant in the west as the last is in the east, and nests in like situations. The eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the eastern birds.

727b. Florida White-breasted Nuthatch. Sitta carolinensis atkinsi.

Range.--Florida and the South Atlantic coast to South Carolina.

The habits and eggs of these birds are like those of the northern ones.

727c. Rocky Mountain Nuthatch. Sitta carolinensis nelsoni.

Range.--Rocky Mountains from Mexico north to British Columbia.

Their nesting habits or eggs are not distinctive in any respect.

727d. San Lucas Nuthatch. Sitta carolinensis lagunæ.

Range.--Mountain ranges of Lower California.

Said to be like aculeata but with the wings and tail slightly shorter.

728. Red-breasted Nuthatch. Sitta canadensis.

Range.--North America, breeding from the northern tier of states northward, and farther south in mountain ranges; winters south to southern United States.

This species is smaller than the last and has reddish brown underparts and a black stripe through the eye. The breeding habits are the same as those of the White-bellied variety, but these birds almost invariably coat the tree below the opening with pitch, for what purpose is unknown. They lay from four to six white eggs, numerously spotted with reddish brown; size, .60 × .50. Data.--Upton, Maine, June 21, 1898. Nest in hole of dead birch stub, 20 feet from the ground; made of strips of bark and a few feathers. 5 eggs.

729. Brown-headed Nuthatch. Sitta pusilla.

Range.--South Atlantic and Gulf States.

This species has a yellowish brown crown and whitish underparts. Their habits are like those of the other Nuthatches, they nesting in cavities at varying heights, from two to fifty feet from the ground. That they sometimes depart from the usual custom is evidenced by the data accompanying this egg. They lay from four to seven eggs, white with profuse markings of reddish brown; size .60 × .48. Data.--St. Mary's, Ga. Nest situated under the bark of an old dead pine stump, 4 feet from the ground; made of fine strips of bark.

730. Pygmy Nuthatch. Sitta pygmæa pygmæa.

Range.--North America west of the Rockies, breeding from Mexico north to British Columbia. Resident throughout its range.

This species has an olive gray crown bordered by dusky, the back is ashy blue and the underparts soiled white or rusty. They are common in mountains of western United States, nesting in holes in trees the same as the other species of Nuthatches. They lay from five to nine eggs which are white, speckled thickly with reddish brown; size .60 × .50. Data.--Huachuca Mts., Arizona, May 25, 1901. Nest in cavity (10 inches deep) in dead pine stump about 15 feet from the ground; composed of a mass of vegetable down; altitude 9000 feet.

730a. White-naped Nuthatch. Sitta pygmæa leuconucha.

Range.--Lower California.

Like the last but grayer above and white below. Its habits and eggs are the same as those of the Pygmy Nuthatch.

731. Tufted Titmouse. Bæolophus bicolor.

Range.--Eastern United States, resident and breeding from the Gulf north to New York and Illinois.

This species has a grayish crest and upper parts, and is white beneath with brownish sides and black forehead. These common and noisy birds nest in natural cavities in trees or in holes deserted by Woodpeckers; they may be found at any elevation, from two to thirty feet from the ground. They line the bottom of the cavity with leaves, bark, fibres and hair, and during April or May lay five to eight white eggs, plentifully specked with reddish brown. Size .74 × .54.

732. Black-crested Titmouse. Bæolophus atricristatus atricristatus.

Range.--Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas and southward.

This Titmouse has a black crest and the forehead is white; otherwise similar to the preceding. Like the last, these birds nest in deserted Woodpeckers' holes and natural cavities in trees, either in open woods or in the vicinity of habitations. Their eggs are sparsely spotted with reddish brown, and not usually distinguishable from those of the Tufted Titmouse. Size .70 × .54. Data.--Brownsville, Texas, May 11, 1892. Nest of moss, hair, down and wool in cavity in tree in open woods near town; 4 feet from the ground.

733. Plain Titmouse. Bæolophus inornatus inornatus.

Range.--California and Oregon west of the Sierra Nevadas.

This common, slightly crested Titmouse is grayish brown above and grayish white below. They nest anywhere in cavities that meet with their approval, about old buildings, in fence posts, etc., as well as holes in trees. Their eggs range from five to eight in number and are white, usually spotted with pale brownish. Size .72 × .52. Data.--Tulare Co., California, April 3, 1895. Nest in an oak tree, 32 feet from the ground, in a natural cavity of a horizontal limb; composed of grasses, feathers and fur.

733a. Gray Titmouse. Bæolophus inornatus griseus.

Range.--Southeastern United States, from Colorado and Nevada southward.

The nesting habits of this gray Titmouse are just the same as those of the other.

733b. Ashy Titmouse. Bæolophus inornatus cineraceus.

Range.--Southern Lower California.

The habits of this variety are the same as those of the Plain Titmouse and doubtless the eggs are also.

734. Bridled Titmouse. Bæolophus wollweberi.

Range.--Mexico north to southern Arizona, New Mexico and western Texas.

This handsome species is quite abundant in the mountains of southern Arizona, and nests in woods or about ranches, lining the cavities of trees with moss, down, leaves, etc. The three to seven eggs that they lay are pure white, unmarked. Size .65 × .52. Data.--Huachuca Mountains, Arizona, April 5, 1901. Nest in the natural cavity of a live oak, 12 feet from the ground; cavity lined with bark and feathers.

735. Chickadee. Penthestes atricapillus atricapillus.

Range.--Eastern North America, breeding from the Middle and Central States northward to Labrador; only migratory to a slight extent.

The Chickadee is too well known to need any description; suffice it to say that they are the favorites, with everybody, among all the North American birds. They breed in holes in trees in orchards or woods, and also in bird boxes. I have found by far the greater number in decayed birch stubs. They line the cavities with fine grasses and feathers, and during May or June lay from five to eight white eggs, dotted with reddish brown; size .55 × .45.

735a. Long-tailed Chickadee. Penthestes ataricapillus septentrionalis.

Range.--Rocky Mountain region, north to British Columbia.

This variety is very similar to the last but has a slightly longer tail and the colors are purer. Its nesting habits are the same and the eggs are indistinguishable from those of the eastern Chickadee.

735b. Oregon Chickadee. Penthestes atricapillus occidentalis.

Range.--Pacific coast from California to Alaska.

The habits and eggs of this slightly darker variety are just the same as those of the common Chickadee of the east.

736. Carolina Chickadee. Penthestes carolinensis carolinensis.

Range.--Southern United States from the Gulf to New Jersey and Illinois.

The southern Chickadee is smaller than the northern and the wing coverts and feathers have little or no white edgings. Their nesting habits are in every particular the same as those of atricapillus and the eggs cannot be distinguished with certainty, but average smaller; size .53 × .43.

736a. Plumbeous Chickadee. Penthestes carolinensis agilis.

Range.--Eastern and central Texas.

This variety is said to be more plumbeous above and much whiter below than the preceding. No differences can be found in the eggs of the two varieties and the nesting habits are the same.

737. Mexican Chickadee. Penthestes sclateri.

Range.--Mountains of western Mexico north to southern Arizona.

This species has the black more extended on the throat and the under parts are grayish of a lighter shade than the upper, the cheeks, however, remaining white. Their nests are in hollow stubs and the eggs are indistinguishable from those of the foregoing Chickadees.

738. Mountain Chickadee. Penthestes gambeli gambeli.

Range.--Rocky Mountain region and west to the Pacific; north to British Columbia chiefly in higher ranges.

This handsome little Titmouse has a white superciliary line, leaving a black stripe through the eye. Their habits are like those of the other Chickadees and they are equally confiding and inquisitive. Their eggs range from five to eight in number and are either pure white or faintly marked with reddish brown; size .60 × .45. Data.--Estes Park, Colorado, June 8, 1803. Nest in an old Sapsucker's hole in a live aspen tree, 28 feet from the ground; cavity lined with hair and fur.

739. Alaska Chickadee. Penthestes cinctus alascensis.

Range.--Northern Alaska and eastern Siberia.

This bird, which is most like the Hudsonian Chickadee, nests in the usual manner and its eggs are like those of the common Chickadee of the east.

740. Hudsonian Chickadee. Penthestes hudsonicus hudsonicus.

Range.--Western half of British America.

These brown capped Chickadees are very abundant throughout the northwest and are even tamer than our United States varieties. They usually make their nests at low elevations in dead and decayed stumps and line the bottom of the cavity, which varies from three to eight inches in depth, with moss and fur. Their eggs, which they lay in May, June or July, are white, specked with reddish brown and cannot with any certainty be distinguished from those of the Black-capped Chickadees, the eggs of all the species showing considerable variations; size .60 × .45.

740a. Acadian Chickadee. Penthestes hudsonicus littoralis.

Range.--Kowak River, northwest Alaska.

A larger and grayer form of the last species; nesting habits and eggs not differing.

740b. Columbian Chickadee. Penthestes hudsonicus columbianus.

Range.--Rocky Mountains from northern United States to Alaska.

Like hudsonicus but with the crown slaty instead of brownish. No difference can be distinguished either in their habits or eggs.

740c. Canadian Chickadee. Penthestes hudsonicus littoralis.

Range.--Eastern half of Canada and northern New England and New York.

These birds were formerly hudsonicus in company with the western ones, but they are now supposed to be a trifle smaller and with the crown duller; this division does not affect the similarity of their habits and eggs.

741. Chestnut-backed Chickadee. Penthestes rufescens rufescens.

Range.--Pacific coast from Oregon to Alaska.

This species is similar to the Hudsonian in having a brown crown and black throat, but has in addition, a chestnut colored back and sides. They breed locally in Oregon, more commonly in Washington and are abundant in British Columbia, making the nests of animal fur in holes in dead stubs. Their eggs vary in number from five to eight and are creamy white, dotted with reddish; size .60 × .45. Data.--Dayton, Oregon, May 28, 1906. Nest of hair and fur in willow stub, 10 feet up.

741a. California Chickadee. Penthestes rufescens neglectus.

Range.--Coast regions of California.

This variety is not as rufous on the sides as the more northern one. Its habits and eggs are the same.

741b. Barlow's Chickadee. Penthestes rufescens barlowi.

Range.--About Monterey Bay, California.

This variety is said to have no rusty on the flanks. Its habits and eggs are like those of the others.

742a. Pallid Wren-Tit. Chamæa fasciata henshawi.

Range.--Interior of California from Lower California to the Sacramento Valley.

This duller colored variety has the same nesting habits and similar eggs to those of the Coast Wren-tit.

742b. Coast Wren-Tit. Chamæa fasciata fasciata.

Range.--Pacific coast from southern California north to Oregon.

These peculiar brownish gray colored birds frequent the tangled underbrush of ravines and mountain sides where they lead the life of a recluse. They nest at low elevations in the densest thickets, making them of twigs, strips of bark, grasses and feathers, compactly woven together and located in bushes from one to four feet from the ground. They lay from three to five plain, unmarked, pure white eggs; size .75 × .54. Data.--Wrights, Cal. Nest in a tangle of vines in a deep ravine; composed of strips of bark, moss and grasses, lined with cattle hair; a bulky nest.

743. Bush-Tit. Psaltriparus minimus minimus.

Range.--Pacific coast of northern California, Oregon and Washington.

These diminutive little birds build nests that are marvels of architecture, making long purse-like structures, suspended from twigs usually at low elevations from the ground. The nests are made of moss, lichens, fibres, ferns and grasses and lined with feathers or wool; the opening is on one side near the top, and a typical nest averages 12 inches in length, by 4.5 inches in diameter at the bottom and 3 at the top. Their eggs number from four to nine and are pure white; size .54 × .40. The birds are very active and have the same habits as the Chickadees, being seen often suspended, head downward, from the ends of twigs, in their search for insects.

743a. California Bush-Tit. Psaltriparus minimus californicus.

Range.--California with the exception of the northern part.

This sub-species, which is like the last but with a lighter brown head, has the same habits, nests in the same manner and its eggs are not distinguishable from those of the others.

743b. Grinda's Bush-Tit. Psaltriparus minimus grindæ.

Range.--Southern Lower California.

The nesting habits of this variety, which is very similar to the last, do not vary in any respect; eggs indistinguishable.

744. Lead-colored Bush-Tit. Psaltriparus plumbeus.

Range.--Rocky Mountain region from Wyoming south to Arizona.

This species suspends its semi-pensile nests in bushes or trees, and some times from the mistletoe, which grows on numerous trees in southern Arizona. The nests are composed like those of the Cal. Bush-Tit and range from 6 to 10 inches in length. The eggs are white, five or six in number and measure .55 × .42.

745. Lloyd's Bush-Tit. Psaltriparus melanotis lloydi.

Range.--Northern Mexico north into western Texas and New Mexico.

This species is similar to the lead-colored Bush-Tit but has the ear coverts glossy black. Like the others, it builds a long pensile nest of similar material and suspended from the extremities of limbs near the ground The five to seven eggs are pure white. Size .58 × .42.

746. Verdin. Auriparus flaviceps flaviceps.

Range.--Mexican border of the United States, north to Colorado and Nevada.

This Bush-Tit has a bright yellow head and throat, the upper parts being gray and the belly, white. They are abundant in chaparral brush, locally throughout their range. Their large globular nests are situated in bushes at low elevations from the ground, and are made of twigs and weeds, softly lined with fur and feathers. Their three to six eggs are pale greenish blue, specked and dotted with reddish brown. Size .58 × .44. Data.--Brownsville, Texas, May 8, 1894. Large nest of sticks and thorns, lined with hair and feathers, and located in a bush in brush thicket, 8 feet from the ground.

746a. Cape Verdin. Auriparus flaviceps lamprocephalus.

Range.--Lower California.

This new sub-species is said to have shorter wings and tail, and also to be brighter yellow on the head. Its habits and eggs will not differ from those of the common Verdin or Yellow-headed Bush-Tit.

WARBLERS, KINGLETS and GNATCATCHERS. Family SYLVIIDÆ

747. Kennicott's Willow Warbler. Acanthopneuste borealis.

Range.--Asia, casually found in Alaska.

This species breeds in the extreme northern parts of Asia, and I believe its eggs have never been found on this continent. They build their nests of moss and grasses, on the ground in open woods, concealing them under tufts of grass or tussocks of earth. The three to five eggs are white, spotted with pale reddish brown. Size .70 × .50.

748. Golden-crowned Kinglet. Regulus satrapa satrapa.

Range.--North America, breeding from northern United States northward, and south in the Rockies to Mexico, and in the Alleghanies to the Carolinas; winters throughout the United States.

This rugged little fellow appears to be perfectly content in our northern states even during the most severe winters and leaves us early in the spring for his breeding grounds farther north. They are usually found in company with Chickadees and, like them, may be seen hanging to twigs in all sorts of positions as they search for their meagre fare. Their nests are large, round structures of green moss, bark strips and fine rootlets, very thickly lined with soft feathers; these are placed in forks or partially suspended among the branches of spruce trees, usually high above the ground. During June they lay from five to ten eggs of a dull whitish or grayish color, spotted heavily with pale brown and lilac. Size .55 × .42.

748a. Western Golden-crowned Kinglet. Regulas satrapa olivaceus.

Range.--Pacific coast from southern California to Alaska.

This variety is said to be brighter colored than the last; its habits and eggs are the same in all particulars.

749. Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Regulus calendula calendula.

Range.--North America, breeding from the northern border of the United States northward, and farther south in mountain ranges; winters in southern United States.

This little bird is of the size of the Golden-crowned Kinglet (4.25 inches long) and has a partially concealed patch of red on the crown, not bordered by black and yellow as is the last species. Their nests are similar in construction to those of the last species and are situated in coniferous trees at any altitude from the ground. Their four to nine eggs are creamy white, finely specked with reddish brown. Size .56 × .44.

NEST AND EGGS OF BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER.

749a. Sitka Kinglet. Regulas calendula grinnelli.

Range.--Pacific coast, breeding in Alaska.

Said to be brighter than the preceding variety.

749b. Dusky Kinglet. Regulus calendula obscurus.

Range.--Guadalupe Island, Lower California.

This species nests during March in the large cypress and pine groves at high elevations above the ground. The nests are similar in construction to those of the common Ruby-crown, and the eggs are scarcely different from some specimens of that species; white, dotted and wreathed with reddish brown. Size .56 × .43.

751. Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher. Polioptila cærulea cærulea.

Range.--United States, east of the Rockies, breeding from the Gulf to the Middle and Central States; casually north to Massachusetts and Minnesota.

These graceful birds are bluish gray above with a black forehead and central tail feathers, and white underparts. They are common in wooded districts in the south, where they saddle their beautiful nests upon horizontal branches or in crotches usually at quite an elevation from the ground; they resemble large Ruby-throated Hummers' nests but the walls are much higher and thicker; they are made of plant fibres and down, lined with cottony substances and hair, and covered on the outside with lichens to match the limb upon which it is placed.

Their eggs are bluish white, specked with reddish chestnut. Size .58 × .45. Data.--Chattanooga, Tenn., April 30, 1900. Nest of moss, covered with lichens and lined with hair and feathers; 20 feet from the ground in a small tree.

751a. Western Gnatcatcher. Polioptila cærulea obscura.

Range.--Western United States and Lower California.

The habits and eggs of this sub-species are the same as those of the eastern bird, and the nests do not differ except, perhaps, in less ornamentation of the exterior.

752. Plumbeous Gnatcatcher. Polioptila plumbea.

Range.--Mexican boundary from western Texas to southern California.

This species has a bright shining black crown and more black on the tail than the eastern Gnatcatcher. They saddle their nests upon the branches of trees or in upright forks, usually at an elevation of ten feet or more from the ground; the nests are made of plant fibres and fine bark strips, compactly felted together, and with little, if any, ornamental lichens on the exterior. Their eggs are pale greenish blue, spotted with reddish brown, and vary from three to five in number. Size .54 × .44.

753. Black-tailed Gnatcatcher. Polioptila californica.

Range.--Pacific coast of southern California and northern Lower California.

This bird is very similar to the last but has still less white on the outer tail feathers. Like the last, the nests of this species usually lack the exterior covering of lichens, being made of vegetable fibres and plant down, firmly quilted together and saddled on horizontal limbs or placed in forks of trees at any height from the ground. Their eggs are grayish white, specked with bright reddish brown. Size .55 × .44. Data.--Escondido, Cal., May 17, 1903. 5 eggs. Nest on a large limb of a sycamore, 30 feet above ground; made of weed fibres, etc., lined with hair and fine fibres.

THRUSHES, SOLITAIRES, BLUEBIRDS, ETC. Family TURDIDAE

754. Townsend's Solitaire. Myadestes townsendi.

Range.--Western United States, breeding from Arizona, New Mexico and southern California north to British Columbia.

This unique species is of a uniform brownish gray color, with a white eye ring, narrow bar on wing, and outer tail feathers, and with the bases of the primaries rusty colored. It is a ground inhabiting bird, feeding upon insects and berries in shrubbery and thickets. Their song is said to be liquid, melodious and often long continued, equaling that of any other bird. They nest on the ground in hollows under banks or crevices about roots of trees or fallen stumps, making a large, loosely constructed pile of weeds and trash, hollowed and lined with rootlets. The three or four eggs, which are laid in June, are grayish white, spotted with pale brown, chiefly or most abundantly about the large end. Size .96 × .70.

755. Wood Thrush. Hylocichla mustelina.

Range.--Eastern United States, breeding from North Carolina and Kansas north to northern United States; winters south of our borders.

This Thrush with his brightly spotted breast is the most handsome of this group of musical birds. They are common in damp woods and thickets, in which places they breed, placing their nests of straw, leaves and grasses in low trees usually between four and ten feet from the ground; their nests are often very rustic, being ornamented by pieces of paper and twigs with dead leaves attached hanging from the sides of the quite bulky structures. During May or June they lay three or four greenish blue eggs of about the shade of a Robin's. Size 1.05 × .70.

756. Veery. Hylocichla fuscescens fuscescens.

Range.--Eastern North America, breeding in the northern half of its United States range and in the southern British Provinces.

The Veery is very abundantly distributed in woodland, either moist or dry, and nests on the ground or within a very few inches of it, usually placing its structures of woven bark strips and grasses, in the midst of a clump of sprouts or ferns. The three or four eggs which they lay in May or June are bluish green, much darker than those of the Wood Thrush, and nearly the color of those of the Catbird. Size .90 × .65.

756a. Willow Thrush. Hylocichla fuscescens salicicola.

Range.--Rocky Mountain region, north to British Columbia.

The nests and eggs of this similar bird do not differ from those of the last.

757. Gray-cheeked Thrush. Hylocichla aliciæ aliciæ.

Range.--Breeds from Labrador to Alaska; winters south to Central America.

The nesting habits and eggs of this species are very similar to those of the following sub-species and the same description will answer for both.

757. Bicknell's Thrush. Hylocichla aliciæ bicknelli.

Range.--Breeds in the Catskills, White Mountains and Nova Scotia.

These birds, which are practically identical with the preceding, build their nests at low elevations in trees, usually evergreens when present, making them of twigs, moss and rootlets, lined with fine grasses. The eggs, which are laid during May or June, are pale greenish blue, spotted and blotched with pale brown or russet. Size .88 × .64. Data.--Seal Island, Nova Scotia, June 3, 1901. Nest of green moss and rootlets, in a spruce, 5 feet from the ground.

758. Russet-backed Thrush. Hylocichla ustulata ustulata.

Range.--Pacific coast, breeding in Oregon and Alaska; winters in Central America.

This species is very abundant in moist thickets throughout its range, nesting in bushes and low trees, and making them of weed stalks, bark strips, grasses and moss, lined with fine black rootlets.

WOOD THRUSH.

They are found at elevations of from two to ten feet above the ground. Like the Wood Thrush the birds are tame while sitting on the nest and will allow a very close approach, without taking alarm; nests are frequently found which are made almost entirely out of green moss and are very handsome structures.

Their three to five eggs are laid in May or June; they are greenish blue, spotted with brown of varying shades. Size .92 × .65. Data.--Eureka, California, July 6, 1899. Nest in a fir tree, 5 feet from the ground; made of moss and strips of redwood bark. 4 eggs.

758a. Olive-backed Thrush. Hylocichla swainsoni.

Range.--Eastern North America, breeding chiefly north of the United States, but locally in the northern parts, and abundantly in mountain ranges.

The nesting habits and eggs of this eastern representative of the last species are like those of that bird in all respects and the eggs cannot be distinguished from those of ustulatus.

758b. Olive-Backed Thrush. Hylocichla œdica.

Range.--California and southern Oregon.

Nesting habits and eggs identical with those of ustulatus.

759. Alaska Hermit Thrush. Hylocichla guttata guttata.

Range.--Pacific coast from British Columbia to Alaska. Winters in Mexico.

The Hermit Thrushes can readily be identified from any other by the reddish brown tail which is in marked contrast to the color of the back. The nesting habits and eggs of this species are precisely like those of the eastern Hermit Thrush, which is a sub-species of this.

759a. Audubon's Hermit Thrush. Hylocichla guttata auduboni.

Range.--Rocky Mountain region of the United States. Winters in Central America.

The nesting habits of this bird are like those of the next except that it more frequently nests in bushes above the ground. The eggs are not distinctive.

759b. Hermit Thrush. Hylocichla guttata pallasi.

Range.--Eastern North America, breeding in northern United States and north to Labrador; winters in southern United States.

This species, which is noted for its sweet and musical song, frequents damp swamps and thickets where it builds its nest either on the ground or near it, like that of the Wilson Thrush; it is made of shreds of bark, grasses, leaves and rootlets, lined with fine rootlets; the three or four eggs, which are deposited in May or June, are bluish green and cannot, with certainty, be distinguished from those of the Veery; size .85 × .65.

759c. Dwarf Hermit Thrush. Hylocichla guttata nanus.

Range.--Pacific coast of United States, from Washington, southward.

The nesting habits and eggs of this slightly smaller and duller colored variety are like those of the other Hermit Thrushes.

760. Red-winged Thrush. Turdus musicus.

Range.--An Old World species, accidentally straying to Greenland.

This common European bird nests at low elevations in bushes or trees, laying four or five bluish green eggs, spotted with reddish brown; size 1.05 × .75.

761. Robin. Planesticus migratorius migratorius.

Range.--North America east of the Rockies, breeding from the middle portions of the United States, north to the Arctic Ocean.

These common birds nest in trees about houses, in orchards, open woods, in corners of fences, on blinds on houses, and in fact almost every conceivable position. Their nests are made of grasses, firmly cemented together with mud and lined with finer grasses; when placed in trees they are generally firmly saddled in crotches and may be found at any height, from on the ground to sixty feet above it. Their eggs are greenish blue; size 1.15 × .80. Eggs may be found at any time from May until July or August as they raise several broods a season.

761b. Southern Robin. Planesticus migratorius achrusterus.

Range.--The Carolinas and Georgia.

The eggs of this bird, which is said to be smaller and duller colored than the northern variety, show no differences in any respect.

762. San Lucas Robin. Planesticus confinis.

Range.--Southern Lower California.

This is a very much paler form of the American Robin; its eggs probably will not differ from those of the others.

NEST AND EGGS OF ROBIN.

763. Varied Thrush. Ixoreus nævius nævius.

Range.--Pacific coast from northern California to Alaska; south to Mexico in winter.

These handsome birds breed abundantly in Alaska and locally in mountain ranges south to northern California. They nest at low elevations in trees, making them of moss, twigs, weeds and grasses, forming a flat shallow structure. Their eggs are greenish blue sharply but sparingly spotted with dark brown; size 1.12 × .80. Data.--Delta of Kowak River, Alaska, June 11, 1899. Four eggs. Nest 12 feet from the ground, against the trunk of a slender spruce and supported by a clump of stiff twigs.

763a. Northern Varied Thrush. Ixoreus nævius meruloides.

Range.--Interior of western North America, breeding from British Columbia to Alaska. Its habits and eggs do not differ from those of the last.

764. Siberian Red-spotted Bluethroat. Cyanosylvia suecica robusta.

Range.--Northern Asia; casually to Alaska.

This beautiful foreigner nests on the ground and lays four to six greenish blue eggs, spotted with reddish brown; size .75 × .50.

765. Wheatear. Saxicola œnanthe œnanthe.

Range.--Asia; casual in Alaska in summer; nesting habits and eggs like the next.

765a. Greenland Wheatear. Saxicola œnanthe leucorhoa.

Range.--Europe and Greenland; casual on the Atlantic coast of North America.

This very abundant Old World species is a common breeding bird in Greenland and probably also in Labrador. They nest in crevices of quarries, holes in the ground, or stone walls, making a rude nest of weeds, moss or grasses, lined with hair or feathers, and during May lay from four to six pale greenish blue eggs; size .90 × .60.

BLUEBIRD.

766. Bluebird. Sialia sialis sialis.

Range.--Eastern United States, breeding from the Gulf to southern Canada. Winters in the southern half of the United States.

These familiar birds build in cavities in trees, usually below 20 feet from the ground, crevices among ledges, bird boxes and in any suitable nook they may discover about buildings, providing that English Sparrows do not molest them. They raise several broods a year, commencing in April when they lay from three to six pale bluish white eggs (rarely pure white); size .80 × .60. The cavities of their nesting sites are lined with grasses and feathers usually, although I have found the eggs on the unlined bottom of cavities in trees.

766a. Azure Bluebird. Sialia sialis fulva.

Range.--This pale variety is found in southern Arizona and southward.

Its nesting habits are the same and the eggs are indistinguishable from the last.

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767. Western Bluebird. Sialia mexicana occidentalis.

Range.--Pacific coast from Lower California to British Columbia.

The Western Bluebird is as common and familiar in its range as the common Bluebird is in the east. It nests in similar locations and its eggs are scarcely distinguishable, although averaging a trifle darker in shade; size .80 × .60.

767a. Chestnut-backed Bluebird. Sialia mexicana bairdi.

Range.--Rocky Mountain region from Mexico to Wyoming.

The nesting habits or eggs of this brighter colored bird do not differ from those of the last species.

767b. San Pedro Bluebird. Sialia mexicana anabelæ.

Range.--San Pedro Martir Mountains in Lower California.

The eggs of this variety will not in all probability be any different from those of the preceding Bluebirds.

768. Mountain Bluebird. Sialia currucoides.

Range.--Rocky Mountain region, breeding from New Mexico north to Great Slave Lake; winters in southwestern United States and Mexico.

This azure blue species is common in the greater part of its range and is found west to the Sierra Nevadas in California. Like the eastern Bluebird they nest in holes in trees or anywhere that they can find a suitable cavity or crevice. Their eggs are slightly larger than those of the other Bluebirds and have a slight greenish tint; size .85 × .64.