.--Pacific coast of northern California, Oregon and Washington.

These diminutive little birds build nests that are marvels of
architecture, making long purse-like structures, suspended from twigs
usually at low elevations from the ground. The nests are made of moss,
lichens, fibres, ferns and grasses and lined with feathers or wool; the
opening is on one side near the top, and a typical nest averages 12
inches in length, by 4.5 inches in diameter at the bottom and 3 at the
top. Their eggs number from four to nine and are pure white; size .54 x
.40. The birds are very active and have the same habits as the
Chickadees, being seen often suspended, head downward, from the ends of
twigs, in their search for insects.

[Illustration 439: White.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]

Page 438

743a. CALIFORNIA BUSH-TIT. _Psaltriparus minimus californicus._

Range.--California with the exception of the northern part.

This sub-species, which is like the last but with a lighter brown head,
has the same habits, nests in the same manner and its eggs are not
distinguishable from those of the others.

743b. GRINDA'S BUSH-TIT. _Psaltriparus minimus grindae._

Range.--Southern Lower California.

The nesting habits of this variety, which is very similar to the last,
do not vary in any respect; eggs indistinguishable.

744. LEAD-COLORED BUSH-TIT. _Psaltriparus plumbeus._

Range.--Rocky Mountain region from Wyoming south to Arizona.

This species suspends its semi-pensile nests in bushes or trees, and
some times from the mistletoe, which grows on numerous trees in southern
Arizona. The nests are composed like those of the Cal. Bush-Tit and
range from 6 to 10 inches in length. The eggs are white, five or six in
number and measure .55 x .42.

745. LLOYD'S BUSH-TIT. _Psaltriparus melanotis lloydi._

Range.--Northern Mexico north into western Texas and New Mexico.

This species is similar to the lead-colored Bush-Tit but has the ear
coverts glossy black. Like the others, it builds a long pensile nest of
similar material and suspended from the extremities of limbs near the
ground The five to seven eggs are pure white. Size .58 x .42.

[Illustration 440: E. L. Bickford. BUSH-TIT AND NEST.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]

Page 439

746. VERDIN. _Auriparus flaviceps flaviceps_.

Range.--Mexican border of the United States, north to Colorado and
N