PARID.E — THE TITMICE. 119 



of workmen engaged in setting bean-poles. They visited and carefully 

 examined each pole, and bored holes into several in search of hidden larvae, 

 often within a few feet of persons at work. 



While on the Pacific coast they are said to prefer the forests of deciduous 

 trees, and to be rarely found in the dark evergreen forests, in the Eastern 

 States they seem to be particularly fond of the seeds of pine-trees, and in 

 tlie winter are seldom found in the woods of deciduous trees. 



They feed in pairs and climb about in all directions, usually in company 

 with the white-breasted species, Chickadees, and the smaller Woodpeckers. 

 They are restless and rapid in tlieir motions, and have a voice at least an 

 octave higher than any other of this family. The note is a monotone, and is 

 unmusical. Mr. Nuttall represents their cry as consisting of three syllables, 

 represented by day-ddy-ddit, and compares it to the sound of a child's 

 trumpet. 



Those wintering at the North occasionally visit farm-yards and orchards, 

 and examine the eaves of outbuildings for food. 



Audubon found this species more plentiful in the woods of IVIaine and 

 Nova Scotia than anywhere else. He never met any south of Maryland, 

 saw none in Newfoundland, and only met with one in Labrador. At East- 

 port he found a pair breeding as early as the 19th of April, before the 

 lUuebirds had made their appearance, and while ice was still remaining on 

 the nortliern exposures. An excavation had been made in a low dead stump, 

 less tlian four feet from the ground, botli male and female birds working 

 by turns nntil they had reached the depth of fourteen inches. The eggs, 

 four in number, were of a white ground-color, tinged with a deep blush 

 when fresh, and sprinkled with reddish dots. They raise but a single brood 

 in a season. 



C. S. Paine, of East Betliel, Vt., found a nest of this species about the 

 middle of May, in a small beech-tree, the excavation having been made at 

 the height of twelve feet from the ground. The hole was about as large as 

 that made by the Downy Woodpecker. When first noticed, the bird was 

 lookinff out of the hole. Having been started out, she flew to a limb close 

 by and watched the party some time. Wlien she flew back, she buzzed 

 before the hole in the manner of a Humming-Bird, and then darted in. 

 While Mr. Paine was lookiuQ- on, the male came several times to feeel liis 

 mate, who would meet him at tlie opening with a clamorous noise, to receive 

 his bounty. The nest contained five eggs. 



In Western Massachusetts, Mr. Allen speaks of this species as chiefly a 

 winter resident, appearing the first week in October, and leaving the last 

 of April. 



The eggs of this species measure .62 by .48 of an inch, and are of an 

 oblong-oval shape. Their ground-color is a clear crystal white, marked 

 principally about the larger end with a wreath of purple and roseate 

 markintis. 



