THE CAROLINA CHICKADEE. 



249 



General Range. — Southeastern states, north to New Jersey and Illinois, west 

 to Missouri. 



Range in Ohio. — Common in southern, especially southeastern, Ohio. Regu- 

 lar but not so common in central and central-northern Ohio. 



THIS bird bears so close a resemblance to the preceding species that 

 great confusion has existed in regard to them both. In the main their habits 

 are very similar, and the differential points sought to be established be- 

 tween them on this ground seem a little fanciful. 



Dr. Wheaton reported the Carolina Chickadee common in the vicinity 

 of Columbus, and considered it the only breeding species. He says, "Ar- 

 rives about the middle of April ; apparently departs for the south soon after 

 the breeding season." I have never positively identified it here, and the 

 eight local specimens in the O. S. U. collections all belong to the northern 

 form. All recently seen in winter were certainly P. atricapillus, and I am 

 inclined to think that the few local breeding birds are of the same species. 

 On the other hand the two forms were found last winter, near the Lick- 

 ing Reservoir, mingling freely in a large winter troop, while /'. carolinensis 

 alone was found breeding there the following season. The latter bird is 

 found exclusively in the southern part of the state, and in the Ohio River 

 counties is one of the commonest of all birds. 



The most satisfactory distinction between the two forms is that of song. 

 The notes of the southern form are more varied, and once understood neednever 

 be confused with those of the Black-cap. The mating call usually consists of two 

 doubled notes, kuswee, kuswee, and the first of each pair is lower than the other : 

 But in Lawrence County we heard a song of three syl- 

 lables, of which the first was faintest and highest, and 

 the remaining two showed an interval greater than the 

 Black-cap. Sometimes the first note was raised to full rank, and we had 

 a descending scale of three notes. We were repeatedly tricked by this Chick- 

 adee's note into looking for Cowbirds; but on second thought it was seen 

 really to resemble more closely (and then only occasionally) that of the Rusty 

 Grackle. In company the lesser Chickadee is given to the use of a peculiar 

 sneezing note, Kechezawick, kechezawick, by which it is possible to recog- 

 nize him instantly. Sometimes the bird's entire repertoire is drawn upon 

 at once, and there issues forth a wild medley of day, day's, sneezes and 

 whistled calls, which together make up a sort of ecstatic love song. 



