34 The Birds of Albany County 



How could they? He is as inoffensive as a breeze-blown 

 ball of thistledown and it would be a clouded mind indeed 

 that failed to appreciate his unfailing good nature, always in 

 evidence in all seasons and in all weather. While he is not 

 partial to cities, he shows no concern when man invades his 

 precincts. His attitude is rather one of complete indifference. 

 The direct opposite of the Robin, he never betrays alarm at 

 the presence of the animal wearing trousers and flits his way 

 among the forest trees as though the said animal did not exist, 

 even though several large specimens may be smashing through 

 the underbrush. Chickadee is possessed of a curiosity, 

 however, almost as pronounced as that of the Blue Jay and if 

 you conduct yourself aright when in his vicinity he will be 

 quite apt to cease his foraging and investigate you. 



I have been looked over several times by Chickadees. I 

 generally approach as close as possible to them and then stand 

 or sit motionless. This sudden turn of affairs attracts their 

 attention and they approach gradually. It has been claimed 

 that they will alight on one's shoulder or head, but none has 

 ever honored me to that extent. I have had them come within 

 three or four feet of me and then, evidently finding me too 

 commonplace to warrant further attention, they have uttered 

 a mellow chick-a-dee-de-de-de — dede, and gone their way. 



Piney woods are favorite haunts of the Chickadees. They 

 generally travel in bands in cold weather, and devote all their 

 time to the search for food among the branches, about half the 

 time hanging head downward. During the love-season the 

 male has a simple, but exquisite little song, several notes of 

 which sound like the softer tones of a flute heard at a distance. 



