BIRD BIOGRAPHIES 



In the White Mts., the Green Mts., the Adirondacks, 

 and southeastern Canada live Acadian chickadees, 

 that differ from the preceding species in having 

 brownish-gray crowns, and reddish-brown sides. A 

 similarly marked species, slightly larger, is found 

 from Ontario to Alaska. 



DURING tiresome days of a winter convalescence, 

 spent largely on a sleeping-porch that overlooked a 

 beautiful hillside, my most constant and cheering compan- 

 ions were lively little chickadees. Their blending with the 

 winter landscape was perfect. Whether they were seen 

 against the black snow-laden trunks or smooth gray boles 

 of beeches, or among yellowish willow-withes, they were 

 bits of color harmony. 



These active little gymnasts, performing unexpected 

 feats in their swinging from horizontal bars, furnished 

 pleasant diversion, while their friendly, confiding ways, 

 their undaunted fearlessness, and their optimism cheered 

 lonely hours. 



An ice-storm necessitated the spreading of a table for 

 our brave little all-kinds-of-weather friends. They came 

 in pairs, grew very tame, and drew near to us like confid- 

 ing children who knew that no harm would befall them. 

 They acted as though our care of them was the most nat- 

 ural thing in the world. Chickadees have never seemed to 

 me to "grow up," but always to remain the trusting little 

 ones of the bird-world, too small to be out alone, and yet, 

 like children, to fare forth with confidence that their needs 

 would be supplied. 



They repay a thousand-fold any care bestowed upon 

 them. Dr. Judd reported finding in the stomach of one 

 black-capped chickadee between 200 and 300 eggs of the 



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