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 × .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 grindæ._ 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 × .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 × .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 Nevada. This Bush-Tit has a bright yellow head and throat, the upper parts being gray and the belly, white. They are abundant in chaparral brush, locally throughout their range. Their large globular nests are situated in bushes at low elevations from the ground, and are made of twigs and weeds, softly lined with fur and feathers. Their three to six eggs are pale greenish blue, specked and dotted with reddish brown. Size .58 × .44. Data.--Brownsville, Texas, May 8, 1894. Large nest of sticks and thorns, lined with hair and feathers, and located in a bush in brush thicket, 8 feet from the ground.