THE CAROLINA CHICKADEE. 249 
General Range.—Southeastern states, north to New Jersey and Illinois, west 
to Missouri. 
Range in Ohio.—Common in southern, especially southeastern, Ohio. Regu- 
lar but not so common in central and central-northern Ohio. 
THIS bird bears so close a resemblance to the preceding species that 
great confusion has existed in regard to them both. In the main their habits 
are very similar, and the differential points sought to be established be- 
tween them on this ground seem a little fanciful. 
Dr. Wheaton reported the Carolina Chickadee common in the vicinity 
of Columbus, and considered it the only breeding species. He says, “Ar- 
tives about the middle of April; apparently departs for the south soon after 
the breeding season.” I have never positively identified it here, and the 
eight local specimens in the O. S. U. collections all belong to the northern 
form. All recently seen in winter were certainly P. atricapillus, and I am 
inclined to think that the few local breeding birds are of the same species. 
On the other hand the two forms were found last winter, near the. Lick- 
ing Reservoir, mingling freely in a large winter troop, while P. carolinensis 
alone was found breeding there the following season. ‘The latter bird is 
found exclusively in the southern part of the state, and in the Ohio River 
counties is one of the commonest of all birds. 
The most satisfactory distinction between the two forms is that of song. 
The notes of the southern form are more varied, and once understood need never 
be confused with those of the Black-cap. The mating call usually consists of two 
doubled notes, kusweé, kusweé, and the first of each pair is lower than the other : 
a But in Lawrence County we heard a song of three syl- 
Se lables, of which the first was faintest and highest, and 
the remaining two showed an interval greater than the 
Black-cap. Sometimes the first note was raised to full rank, and we had 
a descending scale of three notes. We were repeatedly tricked by this Chick- 
adee’s note into looking for Cowbirds; but on second thought it was seen 
really to resemble more closely (and then only occasionally) that of the Rusty 
Grackle. In company the lesser Chickadee is given to the use of a peculiar 
sneezing note, Kechesawick, kechesawick, by which it is possible to recog- 
nize him instantly. Sometimes the bird’s entire repertoire is drawn upon 
at once, and there issues forth a wild medley of day, day's, sneezes and 
whistled calls, which together make up a sort of ecstatic love song. 
