Page 427 House Wren. 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. Pinkish white. 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. White. 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.




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 Winter Wren. 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.
723--723.1--725a. White. 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. White. 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.
Page 429 Short-billed Marsh Wren.
Long-billed Marsh Wren. 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. Pale brown. 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.




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 CREEPERS. Family CERTHIIDÆ Brown Creeper. 726. Brown Creeper. Certhia familiaris americana. Range.--Eastern North America, breeding from the northern tier of states northward; winters in the United States. White. 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.
Page 431 NUTHATCHES AND TITS. Family SITTIDÆ White-breasted Nuthatch. 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. White. 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.





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 Red-breasted Nuthatch. 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. White. 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. White. 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. Brown-headed Nuthatch. 730. Pygmy Nuthatch. Sitta pygmæa pygmæa. Range.--North America west of the Rockies, breeding from Mexico north to British Columbia. Resident throughout its range. White. 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.
Page 433 Tufted Titmouse. Black-crested Titmouse. 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. White. 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. White. 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.




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 733--734. 733. Plain Titmouse. Bæolophus inornatus inornatus. Range.--California and Oregon west of the Sierra Nevadas. White. 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. White. 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. Chickadee. Carolina Chickadee. 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. White. 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.
Page 435 735b--737--738. 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. White. 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. White. 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.





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 Hudsonian Chickadee. 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. White. 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.