82 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. 



relative areas occupied by these two species are, however, by no 

 means well made out, but it is probable that the larger portion of 

 the State is occupied by the present species, to the exclusion of the other. 



Woods, especially those of bottom-lands, are the favorite resort of 

 this species ; and in summer it may always be found wherever there 

 are plum thickets or many red-bud trees, since in the soft wood of 

 dead trees of these kinds it is able to excavate with ease a hole for 

 its nest. As a rule, however, it selects a cavity already made, as 

 the deserted hole of the Downy Woodpecker, a knot-hole, or a 

 hollow fence rail. In winter it is very familiar, keeping much about 

 door-yards and orchards, even in towns, and gleaning its daily food 

 from the "back steps," where the table cloth is shaken, and where 

 it may often be seen perched on the edge of the garbage pail, 

 pecking bits of meat, etc., from the contents. 



The notes of this species are decidedly louder than those of the 

 Black-cap, and his spring song of chick'-a-dee, chick'-a-dee, chick'-a- 

 dee, uttered in a very clear and sweet whistling tone, is very pleasing. 



Parus hudsonicus Forst 



HUDSONIAN CHICKADEE. 



Popular synonyms. Hudsonian Titmouse; Hudson's Bay Titmouse, or Chickadee. 

 Parus hudsonicus FOKST. Philos. Trans. Ixiii, 1772, 383. 430.-AUD. Orn. Biog. ii, 1834, 

 543, pi. 194; B. Am. ii, 18il,155. pi. 128. BAIBD, B. N. Am. 1858,395; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859. 

 No. 296; Review. 1864,82.-CouKS, Key, 1872, 81; Check List, 1873. No. 33; 2d ed. 

 1882. No. 49.-B. B. & B. Hist. N. Am. B. i. 1874, 105. pi. 7. flg. 7.-RIDOW. Norn. N. Am. 

 B, 1881, No. 45. 



HAB. Northern North America, south to extreme northern border of the United States, 

 except on the Pacific coast, where replaced from Sitka south (and probably farther north- 

 ward) by P. ruffscens Towns. 



"Sr. CHAB. Above yellowish olivaceous brown; top of head purer brown, not very dif- 

 ferent in tint Chin and throat dark sooty-brown. Sides of head white. Beneath white; 

 sides and anal region light brownish chestnut. No whitish on wings or tail. Tail nearly 

 even, or slightly emarginat and rounded. Lateral feathers about .20 shortest Length 

 about 5 inches; wing. 2.40; tail. 2.66."* (Hist. N. Am. B.) 



This species can only be considered the merest straggler to 

 the extreme northern portion of the State. The author has never 

 met with it alive, and therefore knows nothing of its habits from 

 personal observation. 



Mr. Nelson informs us (see page 95 of his list) that Dr. J. W. 

 Velie took a single specimen at Eock Island, but at what date it 

 is not stated, and I learn from Mr. Coale's memoranda, that Dr. 

 Hoy obtained one at Kacine, Wisconsin, in January, 1882. 



*Five specimens from Maine, Nova Scotia, and Labrador, measure as follows: Wing, 

 2.50-2.55 (average. 2.52); tail. 2.40-2.70: tarsus. .62-.70. 



