Western Bird Guide: Birds of the Rockies and West to the Pacific

by Charles K. Reed

745. Psaltriparus melanotis lloydi. 4½ inches.

Range.—Arizona, Texas and New Mexico. Habits the same as above.

VERDIN.

746. Auriparus flaviceps. 4½ inches.

Range.—Colorado and southern California to Mexico. This bird is simply nothing more than a [Bush-tit] with his Sunday clothes on, or not a full suit, but a bright yellow head and neck dress. They are abundant and active little fellows in the thick chaparral brush, where they build a nest more bulky than the “tit” but not as artistic or compact. They are placed in thorn or other bushes within a few feet of the ground, made of twigs and weeds, and lined with fur and feathers. Their eggs, four to six, are white. For amusement, they construct one or two additional nests, in which they remain at night.

WREN-TIT.

742. Chamæa fasciata. 5 inches.

Range.—From southern California north to Oregon along the coast. These are much like the [Chickadee] in habits, only much more secluded, frequenting the deep ravines along the mountain sides, where they build their nests of twigs, fibers of vines, grasses and feathers, in bushes near the ground. Four or five greenish blue, unmarked eggs are their complement (.70 × .50).