Range.—Arizona and Texas into Mexico. This plain colored “tit,” with the only markings about the head, black crest and breast, with white above and below the eyes, is common in parts of Arizona, where it builds within a few feet of the ground in cavities of trees. Nest and eggs the same as the Plain Titmouse (.70 × .50).
OREGON CHICKADEE. 735b. Penthestes atricapillus occidentalis. 5 inches.
Range.—Northwest coast, from British Columbia to Oregon. These lively little birds are willing to make friends with almost anyone, and will get so tame that they will take pieces of suet from the hand. Their well known call of “dee, dee, dee” often repeated, is a cheerful sound, but their other note of “phoe-be,” or, as it seems to me they say “great-way,” is rather mournful and suggests that they are tired and have a “great-way” yet to go. They build in old stumps, usually near the ground, lining the cavity with grass, hair and plant down, in which they deposit from five to eight white eggs, spotted with brown (.60 × .45).
MEXICAN CHICKADEE. 737. Penthestes sclateri. 5 inches.
Range.—Arizona into Mexico. Has more black on the throat. Habits and their nest and eggs are much the same.
MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE. 738. Penthestes gambeli. 5½ inches.
Range.—Western North America, Rocky Mountains west. Habits same as the preceding.
ALASKA CHICKADEE. 739. Penthestes cinctus alascensis. 5 inches.
Range.—Alaska and eastern Siberia. One would naturally think that these little animated bunches of feathers would freeze in the far north where they make their homes. But they are the same sprightly little “chick-a-dee-dee-dee” that we have farther south, and do not seem to mind the severe cold at all. In habits, nest and eggs, these birds are so near alike that it is impossible to identify them.
HUDSONIAN CHICKADEE. 740. Penthestes hudsonicus. 5 inches.
Range.—Western half of British America. Habits the same as above.
CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE. 741. Penthestes rufescens. 5 inches.
Range.—Alaska to Oregon on the Pacific coast, and occasionally to central California. Habits the same as preceding.
CALIFORNIA CHICKADEE. 741a. Penthestes r. neglectus. 5 inches.
Range.—Middle section of California, near the coast (not illustrated).