THE CHICKADEES 



calling " Dee, dee, dee " whenever she met me 

 in the woods. I usually carry food along, 

 and she would come to my hand and help 

 herself. After she had satisfied her appetite, 

 she flew down the side-hill to Magnolia Swamp. 

 I followed her, and found her mate excavating 

 a nest in a small dead paper-birch. I expect 

 that his wife told him that I was coming, but 

 he did not quit work for five minutes. When 

 I had approached, he bobbed his head out 

 of the entrance, but instantly returned to his 

 work. When he did come out, he appeared 

 hungry, and attacked a doughnut with vigor, 

 winding up with hemp-seed. From the way 

 the birds attacked food, it was evident that 

 they would have had to seek the cabin soon, 

 if I had not happened along. 



I talk to the chickadees as I would to human 

 beings, so when I had seated myself on a 

 boulder, within four feet of the nest, I told 

 my friends that I was making them a friendly 

 call, and begged them to keep right on with 

 their work. The chickadees said something 

 to me in reply, and may have understood 

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