Nest.—In cavities of dead limbs or stumps, sometimes only a few inches from the ground, and again as high as fifty feet; they lay five or six eggs, white with numerous spots of reddish brown (.62 × .49).
Range.—South Atlantic and Gulf states, breeding north to Virginia.
TUFTED TITMOUSE
731. Bæolophus bicolor. 6 inches
Head crested, forehead black, flanks brownish. The habits of this large Titmouse are almost identical with those of [Chickadees]. They swing from the ends of twigs in all manner of positions and creep about trunks, peering in crevices of the bark for insects. They are common in the southern states, breeding from the Gulf to New York and Illinois; they are resident in the southern portion of their range. Their eggs are laid in soft nests of down and feathers in hollow stumps. Their notes are loud, clear whistles.
BLACK-CRESTED TITMOUSE
732. Bæolophus atricristatus. 6 inches
Crest black, forehead white, flanks rusty. The habits of this species are just like those of the very similar preceding one. The birds are very tame, especially so during the nesting season, when they will allow themselves to be lifted from the nest by hand. They are found in southern and western Texas.
