HUDSONIAN CHICKADEE. 21 



himself. It is well lined with grass and wool, 

 and contains eight or ten very small whitish eggs. 

 The Chickadee is one of the boldest of birds. 

 He usually builds in retired woods, but will ap- 

 proach dwellings if it suits him. He meets the 

 wood -man in his native home without fear and 

 as a friend ; and among his fellows is one of 

 the deadliest of combatants. Mr. H. D. Minot, 

 of New England, tells us that the Chickadee 

 sleeps with his head tucked under his wing. 



HUDSONL^N CHICKADEE. 

 (Panis Hudsonicus) 



'l"he Hudsonian Chickadee is distinguished from 

 the Black -capped' by its olive - brown back, light 

 chestnut sides, and the distinctly brown crown of 

 its head. It is nearly as abundant as the Black- 

 cap here, and its habits are similar. It nests 

 in May, digging its own nest hole in a rampole, 

 eight or ten feet from the ground. It is quieter 

 and more retired in its disposition than the Black- 

 cap, and much less pugnacious. 



