THE CHICKADEE 



Called also: Black-capped Titmouse 



T>ITTERLY cold and dreary though the day 

 -■^ may be, that "little scrap of valour," the 

 chickadee, keeps his spirits high until ours can- 

 not but be cheered by the oft-repeated, clear, 

 tinkling silvery notes that spell his name. 

 Chicka-dee-dee : chicka-dee-dee: he introduces 

 himself. How easy it would be for every child 

 to know the birds if all would but sing out 

 their names so clearly! Oh, don't you wish they 

 would? 



"Piped a tiny voice near by 

 Gay and polite— a cheerful cry— 

 Chick-chickadeedee! Saucy note 

 Out of sound heart and merry throat. 

 As if it said, ' Good day, good Sirl 

 Fine afternoon, old passenger! 

 Happy to meet you in these places 

 Where January brings few faces.* " 



No bird, except the wren, is more cheerful than 

 the chickadee, and his cheerfulness, fortunately, 

 is just as "catching" as measels. None will 

 respond more promptly to your whistle in imi- 

 tation of his three very high, clear call notes, and 

 come nearer and nearer to make quite sure you 



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