Nests in Holes in Trees, Stumps, or Logs 
The nest, simply a collection of short hair, moss, leaves, 
and strips of bark, is placed most frequently in a deserted wood- 
pecker’s hole, or in a natural cavity in a tree, usually one that is 
dead. 4 to 8 eggs are laid ; they are white or creamy, with 
large spots and specks of reddish and purplish brown, chiefly at 
the larger end. Size—3.74 x .52. 
These delightful little birds may be seen in the somewhat 
damp woods, usually in company with the ever-busy chickadee. 
They breed in April. 
735. Chickadee: Parus atricapillus Linn. 
Aduit—Upper part of head and nape black; back gray ; under 
parts, throat black, breast white, shading into grayish or 
buff on the sides and belly. Length—5. 27. 
Breeding Range—‘‘ From southern Illinois and Pennsylvania north- 
ward to Labrador, and southward along the Alleghanies to 
North Carolina” (Chapman). 
The nest is made of moss, feathers, wool, plant fibre, fur, 
and sometimes entirely of short hairs. It is placed in a hole 
which may be either a natural cavity, a deserted woodpecker’s 
nest, or made by themselves ; in the latter event they choose a 
decayed tree, by preference the white birch. Thehole is seldom 
more than seventeen feet from the ground. The eggs number 
from 5 to 8 ; they are white, sparsely marked with light brown, 
purplish, and lilac spots and specks, chiefly at the larger end. 
Size—.57 x .47. See Fig. 19, Plate C. 
These little acrobats of the forest, with their cheerful notes 
and confidential manners, are among the most delightful of our 
bird friends; they have but little fear of man, and their restless 
hopping from bough to bough, standing one moment on the 
twig and the next moment turning over and hanging beneath 
it, ever seaching for food, and uttering at intervals that note 
so peculiar to themselves, is a constant source of interest and 
amusement to the onlooker. The eggs may be found from 
about the middle of May, near New York. Damp woods and 
woodland swamps or ponds are the localities to which they 
retire during the nesting season. The young resemble the adult 
birds. 
Ill 
