[Illustration: white.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]
Page 425
717a. CANON WREN. _Catherpes mexicanus conspersus._
Range.--Rocky Mountain region and west to the Sierra Nevadas; north to
Wyoming and Idaho and south to New Mexico and Arizona.
The Canon Wrens are uniform rusty brown all over except the large
sharply defined white throat patch; the underparts, wings and tail are
barred with black, and the back is specked with white. Their name is
well chosen for they are found abundantly in rocky canyons, ravines, and
side hills. They nest in crevices or caves among the rocks, placing
their nests in small niches; they are made of twigs, leaves, grasses and
feathers, and the three to six eggs, which are laid from April to June
according to locality, are white, sprinkled and blotched with reddish
brown and lilac. Size .72 × .52.
717b. DOTTED CANON WREN. _Catherpes mexicanus punctulatus._
Range.--Pacific coast from Oregon to Lower California.
The habits and eggs of this coast form of the White-throated Wren do not
vary in any particular from those of the preceding variety.
718. CAROLINA WREN. _Thryothorus ludovicianus ludovicianus._
Range.--Eastern United States, breeding from the Gulf to southern New
England and Illinois; resident in the greater part of its range.
These loud-voiced songsters are well known in the south where they are
very abundant, being found along banks of streams, in thickets, along
walls, or about brush heaps. They nest in almost any suitable nook or
corner, in hollow trees or stumps, bird boxes, about buildings, and in
brush or bushes. When in exposed positions, the nest, which is made of
all sorts of trash, is arched over; the eggs, which are laid from March
to June, and frequently later, as several broods are sometimes reared in
a season, are white, profusely specked with light reddish brown and
purplish. Size .74 × .60.
718a. FLORIDA WREN. _Thryothorus ludovicianus miamensis._
Range.--Southern Florida.
A similar bird to the last but darker above and brighter below. Its eggs
are not distinguishable from those of the last.
718b. LOMITA WREN. _Thryothorus ludovicianus lomitensis._
Range.--Southern Texas.
This sub-species is abundant along the Lower Rio Grande in southern
Texas, where its habits are the same as those of the others and the eggs
are not distinctive.
[Illustration 427: Carolina Wren.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: 717a--719a.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 426
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.
[Illustration 428: Bewick's Wren.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]
Page 427
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.
[Illustration 429: House Wren.]
[Illustration: Pinkish white.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 428
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.
[Illustration 430: Winter Wren.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: 623--723.1--725a.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]
Page 429
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.
[Illustration 431: Short-billed Marsh Wren. Long-billed Marsh Wren.]
[Illustration: Pale brown.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 430
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.
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.
[Illustration 432: White.]
[Illustration: Brown Creeper.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]
Page 431
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.
[Illustration 433: White-breasted Nuthatch.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 432
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.
[Illustration 434: Red-breasted Nuthatch.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: Brown-headed Nuthatch.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]
Page 433
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.
[Illustration 435: White.]
[Illustration: Tufted Titmouse. Black-crested Titmouse.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 434
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.
[Illustration 436: White.]
[Illustration: 733--734.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: Chickadee. Carolina Chickadee.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]
Page 435
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.
[Illustration 437: 735b--737--738.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 436
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.