XVII. 



THE CHICKADEES 



THE chickadees are with me the year 

 through. In winter they collect into a flock 

 and remain near the cabin, but when the snow 

 departs, they drift away in pairs, in search 

 of a good nesting site. From this time, until 

 the young birds are large enough to fly, the 

 chickadees come to my cabin in pairs. The 

 domestic life of the chickadee overflows with 

 love, joy, and devotion. These little birds 

 when once mated are mated for life. There 

 is no divorce in the bird family, from eagles 

 down to humming-birds. It is a rare treat 

 to watch a pair of chickadees in the nesting 

 season. I was walking along the old high- 

 way last season, when I heard one of my chick- 

 adees calling to me. This bird had a way of 

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