50 iVBSTS AND. EGGS OF BIRDS. 



Minot aftirms that two broods are sometimes reared. In cen- 

 tral Michigan dates sent to me are May 2, 14, 15 and 20, and 

 June 2 ; yet in central New York I am assured that they often 

 nest by the first of April. The conclusion seems to be that 

 two broods are raised in many cases, if not as a rule. 



The chickadees' solicitude for the safety and happiness of 

 their eggs and voung is a remarkable trait of the whole family. 

 They resist to the last extremity any invasion of their home. 

 This is true even before human foes, where most birds yield 

 without a struggle. Dr. Brewer tells of one chicl:adec whose 

 nest was exposed in the top of an old stump in Brookllne. Mass. 

 •• The mother refused to leave until forcibls' taken off by the 

 hand, and twice returned to the nest when thus removed, and 

 it was only by holding her in the hand that an opportunity was 

 given t) ascertain that there were seven young birds in the nest. 

 ohc made no complaint, uttered no outcries. Ijut rcsolutel)' and 

 c':e\otedly thrust herself between her nestlings and the seeming 

 danger, \vlien released, she immediately flew back to them, 

 covered them under her sheltering wings, and looked up in the 

 face of her t.)rmentors with a quiet and resolute courage that 

 coukl not be sui'passetl." 



Both parents keep busy all day long in carrying insect-food 

 to their brood ; and when able the whole family continue to- 

 gether during tlie winter, traversing the woods " in regular 

 progression from tree to tree, tumbling, chattering and hanging 

 from the extremities of the branches." 



Variety septentiiioxalis (No. 31c?), the Long-tailed 

 Chickadee, ranges from Kansas and Missouri to the Rocky 

 mountains. B. F. Goss saw it breeding abundantly at Neosho 

 Falls, Kan., where it nested in decayed stumps, hollow trees, 

 branches, l(\gs, etc., after the manner of atricapiilns. The 

 excavation is usually 10 or 12 inches, and even more, in depth. 

 The nest is warmly made of a loose felt composed of the fur 

 and fine hair of small quadrupeds, feathers, and the finer mosses. 

 The eggs, usually five, occasionally eight, are of a rounded 

 oval shape, measuring .60 by .50 of an inch. " They have a 



