J 06 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



in 1850, in the thick swampy woods wliicli cover one of tlio small islands 

 near Grand !Meuan. Their general ajipearance as they flitted through the 

 woods, or rustled restlessly among the tangled debris of (lecaying trees and 

 underbrusli with which the forest was choked, was not unlike that of our 

 common Black-Cai). Yet there was an indescribable something both in their 

 cries and in their manners that at once suggested a difference of species. To 

 my ear their cries were sharper, clearer, and a trifle harsher. There was 

 none of that resonant jingle so full of charm in the Chickadee. Their notes, 

 too, were more articulate, more like distinct words, and were brought out at 

 certain times with an emphasis the effect of which was very striking. 

 Beginning with tschd-dee, the dee-dee-dee was reiterated \vith an almost 

 incessant \-olubility. 



It seemed to be a more n^tiring liird, never frequenting tlic houses, hut 

 keeping closely to thick and retired woods. Yet it is not a timid species, but 

 seemed entirely unmindful of our presence, or, when mindful of it, to resent 

 it as an impropriety, rather than to fear it as a danger. Thoy apparently had 

 nests or young at the time of my visit, though I could not detect their local- 

 ity. One pair became at last so annoyed at my prolonged presence as to 

 manifest their uneasiness by keeping within a few feet of my head, follow- 

 ing me wherever I went, and without ceasing from their close surveillance 

 until I finally left their grove and emerged into the open country. All the 

 time they I)rought out the cry of dee-dee witli a clear, ringing emphasis that 

 was almost startling. 



A few days later, being at Halifax, Mr. An(h'(nv Downes, the naturalist, 

 took me to the nest of tliese birds in a small grove in tlie vicinity of that 

 city. Tlie nest was in a small beech-tree, aiul had been cut through the liv- 

 ing wood. Till' excavation, which was not more tlian two feet from tlie 

 grounil, was about ten inches in de])th, was in a liorizontal position only 

 about two inclies, where it turned abru])tly downward, and from a width of 

 an inch and a lialf assumed a widtli of three, and a deptli of seven or eight 

 inches. This was warmly lined with feathers and soft fur. The nest con- 

 tained young birds. These particulars we only ascertained when we had 

 laid bare the excavation by a sharp hatchet. Though disappointed in our 

 search for eggs, yet we witnessed a very touching manifestation of devotion 

 on the part of the parents, and of neighborly solicitude in various other in- 

 mates of the grove, which was at once most interesting and a scene long to 

 be remembered. 



With all the self-sacrificing devotion of tlie Black-('ai), these birds dis- 

 ])layed a boldness and an aggressive intrepidity tliat at once commanded 

 our respect and admiration. I never witnessed anything finite equal to it.i| 

 They flew at our faces, assailed our arms as we wielded the invading hatchet, 

 and it was difficult not to do them even unintentional injury witliout aban- 

 doning our jnirpose. Before we could examine the nest fhc^y had entered, 

 and had to be again and again removed. As soon as we were satisfied tliat 



