PARIDAE: PARINAE 
735. Parus atricapillus 
CHICKADEE. 5 inches 
Male and Female alike. Above blue-gray; top of head black, 
sides white. Below yellowish white; throat black. 
This dainty, much-loved creature often merrily calls its name just 
outside the window on cold winter mornings. In February it 
begins to whistle its sweet, clear ‘ Phoebe” notes that some- 
times cause the young bird student to confound it with the 
flycatcher Phoebe that normally does not reach Massachusetts till 
late in March. Common in Massachusetts, in autumn and winter. 
Song. Chick-a-dee, dee, dee, chick-a-dee, dee, dee, and a clear whistled 
Phoebe, “represented by G and F on the piano.” 
Nest. Of warm material, in holes in trees and (enn /4 
stumps. ( WK 
Breeds. Throughout New England. 
: ; cto 
112 
