Upon a foundation of dry leaves are laid grass, fibres, and weed-stems; these 

 are held in place by a matrix of mud or rotton wood, and the nest lined with 

 rootlets or dead leaves. The mud-working must be disagreeable business for 

 such dainty birds. I once came upon a mother mason at her task. Her bill and 

 breast were all bedaubed with mud, and she cut such a sorry figure that she 

 fled precipitately upon my approach and would not come back again. 



According to Dr. Jones the same nest is occupied during successive seasons, 

 especially if securely placed. Repairs are made each year, and consist either 

 of a new matrix and lining or of the latter alone. He has one in his collection 

 which shows four distinct yearly additions. 



The brooding female is unusually devoted to her eggs, and altho in mani- 

 fest terror of the "infernal machine" thrust up close to her nest, bravely returns 

 to her charge again and again. 



The Chickadee 



By Thomas Nuttall 



This familiar, hardy and restless little bird chiefly inhabits the northern 

 and middle States, as well as Canada. In the latter country it is found even in 

 winter around Hudson's Bay. 



During autumn and winter families of these birds are seen chattering and 

 roving through the woods, busily engaged in gleaning food. Along with the 

 Creepers and Nuthatches they form a busy, active and noisy group, whose 

 manners, habits and food bring them together in a common pursuit. Their diet 

 varies with the season ; for besides insects and their eggs, of which they are 

 particularly fond, in September they leave the woods and assemble familiarly in 

 our orchard and gardens. Sometimes they even enter cities in quest of food. 

 •Large seeds of many kinds, particularly those which are oily, are now sought 

 after. Fat of various kinds is also greedily eaten, and the Chickadees regularly 

 watch the retreat of the hog-killers in the country to glean up the fragments of 

 meat which adhere to the places where the carcasses have been suspended. At 

 times they feed upon the wax of the candleberry myrtle. They likewise pick up 

 crumbs near the houses, and search the weather-boards, and even the windowsills 

 for insect prey. They are particularly fond of spiders and the eggs of destructive 

 moths, especially those of the canker worm, which they greedily devour in all 

 stages of its existence. 



In winter, when hunger is satisfied, they will descend to the snow and 

 quench their thirst by swallowing small bits. In this way their various and frugal 

 meal is always easily supplied ; atid hardy and warmly clad in light and very 

 downy feathers, they suffer little inconvenience from the inclemency of the sea- 

 sons. Their roost is in the hollows of decayed trees, where they also breed, 



mo 



