OREGON CHICKADEE.
735b. Penthestes atricapillus occidentalis. 5 inches.
Range.—Northwest coast, from British Columbia to Oregon. These lively little birds are willing to make friends with almost anyone, and will get so tame that they will take pieces of suet from the hand. Their well known call of “dee, dee, dee” often repeated, is a cheerful sound, but their other note of “phoe-be,” or, as it seems to me they say “great-way,” is rather mournful and suggests that they are tired and have a “great-way” yet to go. They build in old stumps, usually near the ground, lining the cavity with grass, hair and plant down, in which they deposit from five to eight white eggs, spotted with brown (.60 × .45).
MEXICAN CHICKADEE.
737. Penthestes sclateri. 5 inches.
Range.—Arizona into Mexico. Has more black on the throat. Habits and their nest and eggs are much the same.
MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE.
738. Penthestes gambeli. 5½ inches.
Range.—Western North America, Rocky Mountains west. Habits same as the preceding.
