THE CAROLINA CHICKADEE. 247 



track of each other by the utterance of a faint tsip; and this note serves as 

 well for the guidance of friendly Creepers and other members of the 

 winter troop. In contrast with these more prosaic sounds comes the 

 mating" call, Swee-tee or Swee-tee-tee, high-pitched, clear and sweet as 

 a voice of home. The notes ring true 

 and may be readily imitated by thin lips. 

 This song, if such it may be called, also 

 serves a variety of purposes bordering on those of courtship, and its use by 

 an observer often serves to call up a motley company of birds where before 

 the woods were silent. 



Contrary to the wont of most hole-nesting birds, the Chickadee believes in 

 warm blankets. Into the chosen cavity, whether natural or artificial, the 

 birds lug immense quantities of moss, wool, hair, or rabbits' fur, until 

 the place is half filled ; and the sitting bird, during the chilly days of April, 

 is snug and warm. 



Ordinarily a hole is dug by the birds in a rotten stub at a height of 

 two or three feet. Sometimes a deserted nest of the Downy Woodpecker 

 is used, but on the other hand, excavations are sometimes made in green 

 wood. Several nests I have seen in willow and poplar saplings, and at 

 a height of fifteen or twenty feet. 



Young Chickadees are such cunning little creatures that the tempta- 

 tion to fondle them is often irresistible. The parents may have very de- 

 cided views as to the propriety of such action, or they may regard you as 

 some benevolent giant whose ways are above suspicion. Not infrequent- 

 ly the parent birds will venture upon the hand or shoulder to pursue their 

 necessary offices, if their young are kindly entreated. 



No. 108. 



CAROLINA CHICKADEE. 



A. O. U. No. 736. Parus carolinensis Aud. 



Synonym. SOUTHERN CHICKADEE. 



Description. Adult : Similar to preceding species, but averaging smaller ; 

 black of throat a little more extensive and sharply defined below, shining like that 

 of crown ; greater coverts tvithout whitish edging, the edging of wing-quills and 

 lateral tail-feathers less extensive, not whitish, but dull bluish ash ; back, etc. 

 uniform brownish ash ; second primary appreciably longer than secondaries. 

 Length, 4.25-4.65 (io8.-ii8.i) ; wing 2.47 (62.7); tail 2.10-2.50 (53.3-63.5); 

 average 2.19 (55.6) ; bill .32 (8.1). 



