562 Home Nature^Study Course. 



LESSON XXIV. 



THE CHICKADEE. 



Purpose. — To induce the pupils to observe closely the colors and 

 markings of this little favorite. 

 Observations. — 



1. What is the general color of the chickadee above and below? 



2. Color of the top and sides of the head? 



3. The colors of the throat and breast? 



4. The colors of the bill, legs and feet? 



5. The colors and markings of the wings and tail? 



6. Comimre the size of the chickadee with that of the English 



sparrow. 



Facts for teacher. — The general effect of the bird is grayish-brown above 

 and grayish-white below. The top of the head is black and the chickadee is often 

 called the " Black-cap." The sides of the head are white and the throat beneath 

 the bill is black. Describe this black patch on the throat as the " bib," and thus 

 fix it in the child's memory that the chickadee has a black cap and a black bib. 

 The breast is grayish-white changing to brownish at the sides. The bill is black 

 and the legs are bluish-gray. The wings and tail are dark gray, the feathers 

 having white margins. The chickadee is smaller than the English sparrow. 



LESSON XXV. 



THE HABITS OF THE CHICKADEE. 



Purpose- — To familiarize the pupils with the song, food habits and 

 manners of the chickadee. 

 Observations. — 



1. What is the common song of the chickadee? 



2. Does it sing on the wing or only when at rest? 



3. What are its other songs? 

 What is the chickadee's food in winter and where is it found? 

 Does the chickadee usually alight on the twigs or on the branches 



and trunk of the tree? 



6. What is the .shape of the chickadee's bill and for what is it 

 adapted ? 



7. Describe the chickadee's actions when hunting for food ? 



8. How does this bird benefit the fruit-grower and farmer? 



9. Does the chicadee ever seem discouraged by snow and cold 

 weather ? 



Facts for teacher. — The pupils can easily learn to imitate the chickadee's note 

 by singing it or whistling it. They will be interested to learn that they can call 

 the bird to them by answering its song. In addition to the common "chick-a- 

 dee-dee " it has a " phoebe " note, giving a rising inflection to the first syllable and 

 a falling inflection to the last syllabic, which makes it quite different from the 

 song of tlie pha'bc bird. This note of the chickadee occurs oftcnest towards 

 spring. Besides these notes the chickadee has a bewitching litUe yodle, which 



