162 THE PRANKS OF THE TUFTED TITMOUSE. 



It is said that they will nest in boxes placed in 

 the woods for that purpose, although I have never 

 tried the experiment. The females are such close 

 sitters, so determined to protect their eggs or 

 young from danger, that they often have to be 

 lifted from the nest before the eggs can be secured. 



Most of my observations have been made in a 

 large tract of woods, in the thick brambles and 

 bushes of which these birds find a covert both in 

 summer and winter, converting many a shady, 

 well-protected nook into a real bird's boudoir ; but 

 some of my friends who live in the country and 

 who have a warm love for the birds, have, at my re- 

 quest, furnished me an interesting account of the 

 habits of the little " winter-kings," as they call them, 

 that find a dwelling place about the house and out- 

 buildings. The birds become quite tame and famil- 

 iar because of the kind treamentthey receive. 



One little bird came into the kitchen through 

 the window that was let down from the top, and 

 built her nest in the coinb-case hanging beneath 

 the clock. She first filled up most of the case 

 with coarse grass and then began to line it with 

 fine grass, when a meddlesome cat drove her away. 

 She would enter the room without fear while the 

 women of the household were at work there. 



